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Engel V. Vitale
This ruling, out of New York, states 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. . . " as per the First Amendment. This ruling further proved the necessity of separation of church and state, making public schools a safer place for students of all faiths and no faith. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
One of the earliest actions taken to provide "quality and equality" in the education of children in the United States, the ESEA was part of Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty." This act made available federal funds for districts serving low-income students, which included monies to purchase textbooks and library books. This allowed for students of minority groups often in low-income neighborhoods access to educational materials previously only available to wealthier students. -
The Indian Education Act
This act was created to tailor the education of American Indian and Alaska Native students to the unique needs of their cultures and languages. This comes after decades of the forced education of Native American and Alaska Native students in boarding schools designed to "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," which were designed specifically to strip Natives of their culture and language. This act allowed Native students to receive an education more beneficial to them. -
The Equal Educational Opportunities Act
This act "protects against discrimination and segregation" and those with language barriers. In classrooms it is used to ensure all students equal access to learning regardless of "race, nationality, color, or sex." The act furthered the nation's quest toward desegregation and truly equal education. -
The Emergency Immigrant Education Act
This act ensures services and funds "for school districts that have unexpectedly large numbers of immigrant students." Many of the children eligible for the support provided by this act have limited English proficiency. Because of this act, schools that need additional resources to better teach their immigrant students have access to funds that support them. -
The University of Phoenix "Online Campus"
The University of Phoenix becomes the first university to offer online bachelor's and master's degrees. Per their most recent popular TV ad, The University of Phoenix created a university for working adults to achieve their education. Online classes allowed more parents, working adults, and remote students to attain their education. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA ensures that students with disabilities are protected from discrimination. Because of the ADA, students with special needs must receive reasonable accommodation to level the playing field with their non-disabled peers. -
Whiteboards Replace the Blackboard
In this era whiteboards begin to replace blackboards in the classroom more and more. Whiteboards eliminate the chalk dust created when writing on a blackboard and lessen dust and allergies, creating healthier classroom environments. -
No Child Left Behind Act
This act "mandates high-stakes student testing" and "holds schools accountable for student achievement levels." The act requires that schools show consistent improvement in the progress of all students-- the easy learners, and the more difficult students alike. However, this sometimes comes at the cost of actual learning, as students learn to become proficient test takers under this act. -
President Obama Calls for Less Testing
President Barack Obama insists students should be spending less time taking tests in school and that the tests they do take should be more meaningful. This lessens the amount of class time spent on standardized testing to no more than 2% of total class time. Furthers the dialogue on reasonable test-taking expectations and the actual learning that students do in the classroom.
