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Plessy v. Ferguson
Unlike the other landmark court cases, this one does not find a constitutional violation, in fact it reaffirms racial segregation with the "separate but equal" doctrine. Plessy, a train passenger, refused to sit in a cart specifically for blacks. The supreme court ruled a law with a legal distinction was not unconstitutional. After this ruling, separate accommodations based on race became more common. -
Brown v. the Board of Education
In the 1950s in Topeka, Kansas, children were segregated in schools. This court case follows Linda Brown and her family, vs. the school system; as they believe the segregation of children by race is in violation of the 14th amendment. The Brown family won their case and the supreme court ruled that the separation of children was indeed unconstitutional. The supreme court put education at the center of American life and decided it was impossible for children to succeed without a good education. -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act
A senate conference report expresses the need to revisit the effectiveness of the Education of all Handicapped Children Act. It was found that public schools receiving federal funding need to provide equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities. This made it schools evaluate these students to create a working educational plan with the parents. It also provides a process for parents to dispute decisions made about their child's education. -
Plyler v. Doe
In 1975, Texas did not allow free education to children who could not prove they were admitted legally. A group of students that could not prove they were admitted legally (originally from Mexico) brought a class action lawsuit challenging the law. After court review it was determined this law was also unconstitutional. This Texas law was found in violation of the 14th amendment, the equal protection clause. -
Franklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools
Petitioner Franklin, a female high school student that was sexually harassed by her teacher, sought money for damages under Title IX. The teacher, Andrew Hill, resigned under the condition all charges be dropped. This was good enough for the school and they closed their investigation. This ruling conflicted with a previous one and so it was reversed. The supreme court ruled the student could indeed sue for damages. (Picture credit: https://www.obama.org/summit-2018/portrait-studio/)
