-
Ruby Bridges First black Student at William Frantz Elementary School
Ruby Bridges attends William Frantz Elementary school as the first black student in the school’s history. November 14, 1960 was the first day of integrated school and upon entering the school many white parents pulled their own children out of school. Ruby Bridges was in a class of one with her teacher Barbara Henry for over a year. This was the first big step towards integrating schools in the United States and set the precedent for having students of color interact with white students. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is enacted which outlaws discrimination that is based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This also prohibits racial segregation in schools, places of employment, and public accommodations, as well as unequal application of voter registration requirements. This law began to change the school system by giving all people a vote and a voice. Schools also now needed to account for students of diverse backgrounds as segregation was now illegal. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is passed by Lyndon Johnson. The act provides federal funding to assist low-income students through Title I funding and the initiation of bilingual education. Title I school funding continues to assist schools in areas with residents of low socio-economic status. Bilingual education also allows students to learn in their home language or to pick up a second language and gain greater cultural competency. -
Immigration Act of 1965
The immigration Act of 1965 is signed by Lyndon Johnson which gets rid of the National Origins Formula which increases the amount of Asians and Latin Americans that immigrate to the United States. This changed the demographic makeup of the United States leading to a change in the cultures present. -
The Equality of Educational Opportunity Study
The Equality of Educational Opportunity Study also known as the Coleman Report found that black students benefited from attending integrated schools. This opened the idea of busing students to achieve desegregation within schools allowing for more students to interact with peers of diverse backgrounds. -
Death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His contributions to Civil Rights in the United States is celebrated annually on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January. This leads to schools beginning to educate students on heroes of diverse backgrounds which raises awareness of different cultures. -
Diana v. California State Board
The court case of Diana v. California State Board leads to new laws requiring that students referred for potential special education placement first be tested in their primary language. This law helped protect students who had a primary language that differed from the majority language. Essentially this protected students from being unfairly assessed if they did not speak English an essential protection for non-English speakers in the United States. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that no person in the United States be excluded from participation in, or be subject discrimination in any educational program or activity on the basis of sex. This protects all women and girls in the United States educational system from discrimination and allows all sexes to have equal opportunities in school. -
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act prohibits discrimination against faculty, staff, and students. It also required school districts to take actions to overcome barriers to equal participation of all students. This made schools accountable for neglect to resolve intentional segregation. This helped protect students of all cultures as schools now had to make active efforts to combat racial inequalities. -
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act also known as Public Law 94-142 was signed into law by Gerald Ford and required that all public schools provide equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities. This was a big step towards offering opportunities and protections for students with disabilities as before schools could turn away students. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) also known as Public Law 101-476 was signed into law and ensures that students with disabilities are provided with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The law also promotes transition services as well as adding eligibility for students with autism and traumatic brain injury. Allowing for more students to access needed services in schools. -
Minority Students Enrolled in K-12 Public Schools outnumber non-Hispanic Caucasians
In the fall of 2014 minority students enrolled in K-12 public schools outnumbered non-Hispanic Caucasians. This shows a shift in the United States demographic and schools need to be aware of an increasing group that has been under-served in the past. This could lead to a large shift as the future generation leads a change in demographics. -
Federal Directive to Allow Transgender Students to Bathroom Matching Gender Identity
The Federal government released a directive to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. This directive identifies and offers protections for transgender students which is a landmark change for students.
