History of Multicultural Education

The Civil Rights Act becomes law.

Jul 2, 1964

The Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin. This helped to encourage more diversity within schools that brought many cultures together.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Apr 9, 1965

The Act provides federal funds to help low-income students. This resulted in the start of education programs that benefited integration of many cultures.

Immigration Act of 1965

Oct 3, 1965

This Act is also known as the Hart-Cellar Act. It abolished the original foundations that make up basic immigration policies today. This resulted in an unprecedented number of Asians and Latin Americans immigrating to the United States. This inturn created more cultural diversity in American classrooms.

The Equality of Educational Opportunity Study

1966

Also known as the Coleman Report, this study, conducted by James S. Coleman, helped to show the benefits that African American student gained by attending integrated schools. This also started a push to desegregate schools in the future.

The Bilingual Education Act

Jan 2, 1968

This Act provided funding for schools to instruct non-English speaking students with better English proficiency so that they would have better access to the entire curriculum. This also helped these student to better communicate with English speaking students.

Lau v. Nichols

Jan 21, 1974

The Supreme Court ruled that the San Francisco School District's failure to provide English language instruction to Chinese-American students with limited English proficiency was a violation of the Civil Rights Act. This case required school districts to provide equal opportunities for all students.

Busing

Jun 21, 1974

Federal Judge, Arthur Garrity, orders busing of African American students to predominantly white schools. This was to achieve racial integration of public schools in Boston.

The Equal Educational Opportunities Act

Sep 21, 1974

This Act prohibited discrimination against students and required the schools to take action to ensure equal protection. The Act has protected the rights of students with limited English proficiency..

Plyler v. Doe

Jun 15, 1982

The Supreme Court ruled that the Texas law that denied access to public education for children of undocumented immigrants violates the Equal Protection Clause. The ruling found stated that school districts cannot charge tuition fees for the education of these children.

Improving America's Schools Act (IASA)

Jan 25, 1994

This Act reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The Act also helps states establish a framework for comprehensive, standards-based education reform for all students.