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Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. Board of Education had an enormous impact on the American educational system because the Supreme Court ended segregation of children in the school system. This court decision was a moral and educational turning point for America. This decision was monumental in working to create equal opportunity for all children by recognizing the fact that discrimination based on race leads to an inherently unequal education. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)
This Act, now known as IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), was monumental because it recognized the basic educational rights of people with disabilities. This Act helped facilitate furthur conversations around individualized learning plans, least restrictive environments, inclusion, and response to intervention. This Act works to make the American educational system a more inclusive and accommodating system that strives for equal opportunity for all students. -
A Nation at Risk
A Nation at Risk is important because it sparked the beginning of a national conversation surrounding educational excellence and accountability. Although the report itself contained some controversial or possibly skewed findings, the overall conversation it brought to the table regarding education was monumental. It marks the beginning of the focus on standardized testing and academic excellence as a nation. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The NCLB Act is the first big attempt at a public accountability system that monitors the achievement of all students, teachers, and schools. All public schools were affected and had to make changes after NCLB. The NCLB Act has high standards, and its attempt to promote progress among all student subgroups is a big step forward for the education system. This Act is significant because it made each school responsible for its success through the use of data and standardized tests. -
Race to the Top
RTTP is significant because it reinforced the need for national funding and reform within the education system. The grant is accompanied by several stipulations, including adapting the common core standards. This movement toward a more widespread curriculum is a distinct change that is working to create a national standard of instruction. RTTP works to make teacher accountability a more expansive process, taking student achievement into account when performing teacher evaluations.
