-
Prayer removed from New York schools
In the case of Engel v. Vitale, the U. S. Supreme Court rules that the state of New York's Regents prayer violates the First Amendment. The ruling specifies that "state officials may not compose an official state prayer and require that it be recited in the public schools of the State at the beginning of each school day. . . " -
Period: to
Years
-
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act becomes law. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin. -
The Bilingual Education Act
The Bilingual Education Act, also know as Title VII, becomes law. -
The Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act becomes law. Section 504 of this act guarantees civil rights for people with disabilities in the context of federally funded institutions and requires accommodations in schools including participation in programs and activities as well as access to buildings. Today, "504 Plans" are used to provide accommodations for students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education or an IEP. -
The Refugee Act
The Refugee Act of 1980 is signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on March 18th. Building on the Immigration Act of 1965, it reforms immigration law to admit refugees for humanitarian reasons and results in the resettlement of more than three-million refugees in the United States including many children who bring special needs and issues to their classrooms. -
The Emergency Immigration Act
The Emergency Immigrant Education Act is enacted to provide services and offset the costs for school districts that have unexpectedly large numbers of immigrant students. -
Teach for America
Teach for America is formed, reestablishing the idea of a National Teachers Corps. -
California Proposition 227
California voters pass Proposition 227, requiring that all public school instruction be in English. -
September 11th, 2001
Terrorists hijack four commercial jet airliners on the morning of September 11th. The attacks have a devastating effect on both U.S. and world stock markets, result in the passage of the Patriot Act and formation of the Department of Homeland Security. -
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 provides more than 90-billion dollars for education, nearly half of which goes to local school districts to prevent layoffs and for school modernization and repair.
