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Santa Fe School District vs. Doe
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the district's policy of allowing student-led prayer prior to football games violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
This act was approved by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush. This law mandates high-stakes student testing, holds schools accountable for student achievement levels, and provides penalties for schools that do not make adequate yearly progress. -
Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
The U.S. Supreme court ruled that certain school voucher programs are constitutional and do not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
This act took effect on July 1, 2005. The changes include modifications in the IEP process and increased authority for school personnel in special education placement decisions. This reauthorization also requires school districts to use the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach as a means for the early identification of students at risk for learning disabilities. RTI includes a three-tiered model for screening, monitoring, and providing increasing degrees of intervention. -
Race Cannot Be a Factor in Assigning Students to High Schools
In the cases of Parents involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No 1 and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education, U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that race cannot be a factor in assigning students to high schools. This rejected integration plans in Seattle and Louisville. -
Common Core State Standards Initiative
The Common Core State Standards Initiative was launched. -
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009
This act provides more than 90 billion dollars for education purposes that include money to prevent layoffs and school modernization repair. This act also includes Race to the Top initiative, which is a 4.35 billion dollar program to induce reform in K-12 education. -
Largest Mass School Closing in US History
The Chicago Board of Education voted to close 50 schools. It was deemed necessary to reduce costs, and to improve educational quality. -
Indiana Withdraws from the Common Core Standards
Indiana became the first state to withdraw from the Core Standards. It was signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence. -
Revolt Against High-Stakes Testing
New York parents opt 150,000 kids out of standardized tests to revolt against high-stakes testing. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
US Senate voted 85-12 to approve this act and it was signed into law on December 10. This is the latest version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaced No Child Left Behind and it also allows more state control in judging school quality. -
Teacher "Sick Out" Protest
More than 60 schools in Detroit were forced to close on Monday, January 11th. This was due to a teacher "sick out" protest in the Detroit Public Schools, which were drowning under 3.5 billion dollars of debt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt5Jp6l_5sA -
Betsy DeVos named Secretary of Education
President Trump named billionaire and school-choice advocate Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdNeBCHdOEQ -
50-50 Tie in the Senate
Vice President Mike Pence casted the deciding vote to break the 50-50 tie in the Senate, to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. Educators criticize her lack of academic credentials and experience. -
18 States and DC sue Betsy Devos and US Department of Education
18 states and the District of Columbia sued Betsy DeVos and the US Department of Education over delays in regulations protecting student loan recipients. -
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
President Trump signs this act into law. The bill lowers corporate taxes and individual taxes. This includes maintaining the $250 limit on deductions teachers can take for school supplies and expanding the use of 529 savings plan for K-12 private and homeschool costs. Some education advocates believe the bill may hurt public school funding and reduce donations to colleges and universities.
