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Plessy v. Ferguson
In 1896, the Supreme Court upheld the case of Plessy v. Ferguson. The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation did not violate the U.S. Constitution in regards to facilities used as long as they were of equal quality. This doctrine came to be known as "separate but equal." These facilities included many things such as schools. Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 547 (1896). -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
In 1954, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren revealed the unanimous rule that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." This marked the end of "separate but equal" and stated that is was a direct violation of the 14th amendment thus was unconstitutional. This ruling put an end to racial segregation in the school system. Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954). -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The ESEA was in itself a civil rights law that granted "full educational opportunity" to those in need. This included free lunches for families in poverty and a greater attention to special education. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-79/pdf/STATUTE-79-Pg27.pdf -
Title IX
In 1972, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights enforced Title IX. Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This allowed anybody based on sexual orientation and gender identity to participate in any federally funded school activity or program. Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972. 20, U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688. -
No Child Left Behind Act
In 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act was signed and placed into law by President George W. Bush. The goal of the act was to provide ample educational opportunities for students in poverty, students of color, special education students and students who spoke little to no English. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW107publ110/pdf/PLAW-107publ110.pdf