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The Common School Movement
Horace Mann, supported free, universal public schools that he believed would help to reduce class conflict, foster civic involvement, and offer moral education. He was an advocate of educational reform as Secretary of Massachusetts' Board of Education. His stance on segregation meant that his recommendations did not prioritize the inclusion of Black children. Mann's ideas arose across the country, but his promotion of oral education among the deaf reduced sign language education. -
Plessy v.Ferguson
In 1892, an action by Homer Plessy led to the case of Plessy v. Ferguson when he was arrested for refusing to sit in a car for Black people on the train. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was legal as long as the facilities were "equal." The decision involved Louisiana and impacted African Americans, who had to follow the segregation law. This allowed racial discrimination with Jim Crow laws that permitted segregation and inequity for Black people across the United States. -
Pierce v. Society of Sisters
In Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925), the Supreme Court invalidated an Oregon ordinance that mandated students to attend only public schools. The Society of Sisters, a private school group, argued that such a regulation was against the rights of parents. The Court ruled that the regulation was unconstitutional because it infringed on private and religious education. This case ensured a parent's choice for their child's school and reduced government control over education. -
Passage of the National School Lunch Act
The National School Lunch Program was passed through the Act of 1946, which subsidized lunches with federal funds allowing children to receive low-cost or free meals. The law was enacted to help alleviate hunger and improve nutritional health. Following debate, including funding and amendments such as preventing racial discrimination in the program, the Act passed. The program improved the nutrition of children with the aid of government involvement in school programs. -
Brown v. the Board of Education, Topeka
Brown v. Board of Education, 1954, was a case that ruled it unconstitutional to segregate children within the public school system based on race. This decision made racial segregation in U.S. schools unconstitutional. The court's ruling overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine from the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case. It marked a historic step toward equality in schools. -
Robinson v. Cahill
New Jersey relied on local financing for public schools, and these budgets differed significantly. The 1970 State School Incentive Equalization Aid Law aimed to increase state funding from 28 to 40 percent but was never fully funded. Kenneth Robinson sued, arguing the system violated state and U.S. constitutions. The trial court agreed, ordering statewide funding through uniform taxation, allowing a legal alternative. New Jersey appealed, and the state supreme court stayed the ruling. -
Title IX
Under the Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in those education programs and activities provided by recipients of federal financial assistance. All federal agencies awarding grants of financial assistance must implement an enforcing order for Title IX's nondiscrimination requirement. Title IX ensures equal opportunities for both male and female students. It promotes gender equality in education. -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act
Changes to the Education of the Handicapped Act ensure that all disabled children are provided with a free public education. Schools are responsible for assessing the needs, writing an individualized education plan, involving the parents, and including the student in regular classrooms as much as possible. Unfortunately, mislabeling students takes funds away and often labels a child unfairly. Confusing regulations, lack of funds, and general mismanagement have hindered this process. -
A Nation At Risk
In 1983, the "A Nation at Risk" report raised alarms about the U.S. education system, stating the country had fallen behind others in commerce, science, and technology due to poor educational performance. It called for reforms in teaching quality, curricula, and standards. Educators, public officials, and business leaders were involved. The report impacted students, teachers, and policymakers and sparked debates on education reform. -
Pyler v. Doe
In June of 1982, the Supreme Court passed down Plyler v. Doe. This decision stated that states cannot constitutionally deny students a free public education based on immigration status. In the 5-4 vote, the Court determined that resources saved from excluding undocumented children were far outweighed. The Court declared that the harm to society caused by denying them an education was more severe. This landmark decision impacted the education of undocumented children across the United States. -
Enactment of No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
No Child Left Behind was signed into law in 2002 to provide all children with better education through higher expectations, accountability, and closing the achievement gap. It increased funding, gave more school choice, and focused on measurable results. It required states to assess student progress and ensure students met grade-level standards. The law aimed to support the most disadvantaged students. -
Grutter v. Bollinger
In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Supreme Court held that colleges could consider race as one factor in admissions to achieve a diverse student body. Barbara Grutter,anunsuccessfulwhite applicant,stated thatshe was rejected by the University of Michigan Law School because of itsuseof racial preferences in itsadmissions policy. The Court did not invalidate this policy as violating the Equal Protection Clause. It explicitlysaid,"Promoting educational diversity serves a compellinginterest".