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Engel v. Vitale
After The New York State Board of Regents created a prayer to be recited in schools, many organizations came together to argue that it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, specifically the separation of Church and State. This is an important milestone for multicultural education because it does not force students who do not believe in a certain religion to recite the prayer. This was the first court case to dispute religion in public schools. -
The Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 became law on this day. The law prohibits anyone from discrimination based on their race, sex, color, or religion. This allows everyone an equal opportunity at education. This ensures minorities are given the privileges they were once denied. -
The Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act was the first major legislative effort for equal opportunities for people with disabilities, by protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination. This was accomplished through building modifications to accommodate the physically disabled, as well as access to programs and activities. Today, "504" plans are used in schools to provide students with whatever accommodations are necessary for them. These students are not eligible for IEPs, but do have a disability. -
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act prohibits discrimination for students and staff, and requires schools to take action to overcome barriers which prevent equal protection. The legislation especially protected the rights of students with limited English proficiency. This is a tremendous milestone for education. It allows all students to truly be knowledgable on the content that is being taught by addressing the language barrier directly. -
The Tribally Controlled Community College Act
The Tribally Controlled Community College Act was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. It provided Federal assistance to tribally controlled community colleges. This gives greater opportunities for those students that could have been receiving a less-than adequate education due to lack of funding. -
The Refugee Act of 1980
President Jimmy Carter signs The Refugee Act of 1980 into law. Reforming the Immigration Act of 1965, allows refugees entrance into the country for "humanitarian reasons". This results in the introduction of many refugee children with special needs into the classroom. This was a big step for multicultural education because schools had to learn how to cater to the needs of these students, and adjust accordingly. -
The Immigration and Nationality Act
This reform increased the overall immigration in the United States to 700,000, increasing the diversity of the country. The law specifically provides family-sponsored visas, employment-based visas, and diversity visas. This, in turn, allows a greater diversity in our schools as well, providing more opportunities to those students who did not have them previously. adding to the diversity of our nation and its schools. -
The Improving America's Schools Act
President Bill Clinton signs The Improving America's Schools Act (IASA) into law It. The law reauthorizes the ESEA of 1965 and reforms for Title I, including increased funding for bilingual and immigrant education. It also fights to fund public charter schools, encourage drop-out prevention, and provide more educational technology. This law fights for greater resources for all students, and gives bilingual and immigrant students a better chance at success. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), was passed. It was created to reauthorize and modify IDEA, including changes in the the IEP process and procedural safeguards, greater authority in deciding special education placement, and alignment of of the act with the No Child Left Behind Act. This allows those students with special needs who have IEPs to also receive the best education for them. It keeps the playing field fair, allowing equity between them and their classmates. -
President Obama demands public schools allow transgender students access to the bathroom of their choosing
The Obama administration released a letter to public schools that stated if they wanted to continue to receive federal funding they needed to allow their transgender students to use the bathroom that matched their gender identity. This was very controversial and heavily frowned upon, but attempted to create a safe environment for those students, to provide opportunities equal to those of their non-transgender classmates.
