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Common Schools (1830s)
The common school concept began in Massachusetts driven by Horace Mann, who became an advocate for the creation of public schools, available to all children. They were designed to be free of charge because they would be federally funded. -
Plessy vs Ferguson
The ruling upheld a Louisiana state law that allowed for "equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races." Schools remained segregated causing continued disparities in the education opportunities available for children. -
Brown v Board of Education
This ruling has been know as a starting point in the civil rights movement. Public schools across the nation were required to desegregate as "separate but equal" was officially ruled unconstitutional. However, post ruling, desegregation took time to implement resulting in continued inequalities. -
Civil Rights Act
This act banned discrimination but specifically for schools it established it would be illegal for federally funded public schools to assign students based on their color race religion or country of origin; therefore, access to equitable education opportunities. It took time again for it to be fully implemented and it was not a safe nor easy transition for students and edcuators. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The ESEA was a part of L.B. Johnson's "War on Poverty". As a former teacher he believed in equal access to education for all children in an attempt to close the gap between the impoverished and wealthy. It designated
funds professional development, funding for resources, and instructional programs. -
Bilingual Eduction Act
This act was an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The BEA set the
designation of funding for establishing bilingual education programs and new programs for handicapped children. Again, it was an amendment to improve educational opportunities for children who were not receiving equitable education opportunities. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
The establishment that no person shall be excluded or denied benefits on the basis of sex from any educational program receiving federal funding. It was and is still considered extremely controversial, with claims of male athletes losing opportunities to female equality requirements. Its intention is to continue to combat discrimination based on sex. Schools are continuing to work on equal opportunities. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and employments receiving government funding. The prominent piece is section 504 which protects not only people with disabilities who apply to and participate in these funded programs, but also job applicants and employees of the organizations that provide them. -
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
NCLB was written into law as an update to the ESEA of 1965 enacted by L.B. Johnson. It was a standards-based education reform with the establishment of measurable goals. States were required to develop assessments in basic skills at specific benchmark grade levels to bridge the gap between low performing and high performing students. Each state established its own goals, with little to no federal oversight before submitting for final approval. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
This act requires states to measure achievements in math, science, and reading but gave more flexibility to states in education than NCLB. It established specific expectations of transparency for parents and communities. The purpose is to prepare all students, regardless of race, income, disability, or ethnicity, for a successful college experience and future career.