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Plessy v. Ferguson
U.S Supreme Court decided that a Louisiana law requiring "separate but equal" accommodations for African Americans and whites on railroads was constitutional. This established a national standard. The Plessy decision set the precedent that "separate" facilities for African Americans and whites were constitutional as long as they were equal. Public officials quickly extended the "separate but equal" doctrine to cover many areas, such as community life, public schools, restrooms, and theaters. -
The Cardinal Principles Report of 1918
From 1890 to 1930, public high school enrollments doubled every decade, this brought in more students who were not preparing for college. Recognizing this trend in a more diverse student body, the Cardinal Principles report was born, believing a traditional approach to education was only increasing educational inequality. The report recommended that high schools adopt a more comprehensive approach, focusing on liberal arts, physical education, hygiene, and even wholesome boy-girl relationships. -
Brown v. Board of Education
In a 1954 unanimous ruling, the U.S Supreme Court agreed that "separate but equal" was "inherently unequal." Segregating public school children based on race deprived minority children of equivalent educational opportunities.The Court concluded that education was the most important state and local government function. Giving African American children access to racially mixed classrooms would help equalize their educational resources and improve their academic outcomes -
1958 Public Law 85-926
Parents of students with disabilities began to form organizations to advocate for publicly educating their children. This led to Congress authorizing the 1958 Public Law 85-926 which supports the training and preparation of special education teachers. Congress favored the needs of special needs students attending public schools based on equality of opportunity, Congress noted that a majority of students with special needs were not receiving appropriate educational services. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The NCLB Act represented the federal government's first serious attempt to hold states, districts, and schools accountable for remedying the unequal achievement among different populations, especially low-income and minority students, English language learners, and students with disabilities. The law required student subgroups to pass 100% of the state standards' assessments. Each state adapted its own way to measure progress, adequate yearly progress (AYP).
