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Engel v. Vitale
This is a court case that begins the journey of Multicultural Education. The judge determined that it was unconstitutional to have school lead prayer, as it violated the students First Amendment right. This was fundamental because it ensured that there was equality in the classroom and that not one religion was dominant over the other. -
The Civil Rights Act
This was pivotal in multicultural education because it finally ended segregation and discrimination on the basis of color, race, religion or national origin. Though it was a long journey, this day marked a step towards schools taking responsibility and protecting the culture of their students. Using one's culture as a positive versus as a hindrance in the classroom is an important part of multicultural education. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Pennsylvania
In this case a federal court ruled that children with special needs have the right to a free public education. This opened the doorway for families and communities to create a supportive environment with equality and without restraints due to mental capability. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
This law made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender in any educational facility, activity or program.This allowed people to take the classes they need to become a well rounded citizen, versus taking the classes determined by societal standards. -
The Equal Education Opportunities Act of 1974
This act was important because it made the schools responsible for trying to demolish barriers, pointedly language barriers, for their students. Ideally, this would create a school environment with equal opportunities for a Spanish speaking student and an English speaking student. This allowed for the schools to tweak their curriculum towards equality, regardless of the language spoken by the student. -
Lau v. Nichols
This court case made it possible for schools to provide equal opportunities to all students, including those who do not speak English as their first language. This was a stepping stone in multicultural education because it acknowledge the lack of instruction towards the basic language used in the school system, thus trying to create an equal playing field for all students. -
Education of All Handicapped Children Act
This act was fairly important in the history of multicultural education because it addressed the student as an individual, versus a group of disabled kids. This law ensured that each disabled student had a free public education that was catered to their specifics needs and meant to avoid any problems that would prevent the children from receiving a standard education. -
Edwards v. Aguillard
This landmark case from Louisiana made it that schools did not have to teach Creationism in classrooms where evolution was taught. This was important for multicultural education because furthered to save students from discrimination due to religion. Creationism presented a dominant religion, where a school should be a place open to all beliefs. -
No Child Left Behind
This event caused big controversy in the educational world. Though there were many opinions on No Child Left Behind, it did try to instill accountability in the schools. It tried to emphasize educational programs and make sure disadvantaged students had their best chance at become academically competent students. This idealized equality among students and made the schools responsible. -
Transgender Bathroom
This event is the most important. It represents that multicultural education is ever growing, and that discrimination will present itself. Though this is not a law, this legislation allowed for transgender children to use the bathroom of the gender of which they identify with. This is a present day example of how equality always has to be chased, and how schools have a responsibility to promote the values and differences of all cultures.
