-
First African American Attends All-White School in South
Ruby Bridges was the first African American to attend William Frantz Elementary School, an all-white school in New Orleans. When she entered the school, white parents pulled out their children and most teachers refused to teach a black student. -
Indian Education Act
The Indian Education Act required the federal government to recognize the American Indian and Alaska Natives cultures when regarding education. The passing of this act gave access to more services to these specific groups, in addition to a voice in how their education would be handled due to their culture/needs. -
The Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)
Section 504 specifically states that it guarantees civil rights for people with disabilities. Federal institutions must give accommodations to those with disabilities in school or the workplace to help achieve their goals. -
Board of Education v. Pico
The Island Tree School District Board members had removed library books from junior high schools and high schools on the claims that they were "anti-American, anti-Christian, and anti-Semitic." Students argued that it violated their First Amendment rights of freedom of speech. On June 25, 1988, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 stating that it was unconstitutional for the books to be removed. -
Emergency Immigration Education Act
This act was implemented to assist educational institutions with the extra costs of enrolling immigrant students. The act applied to children not born in the United States and who have been enrolled in education for less than three years in the United States. Funding would be available to supplement the supplies, services, rental spaces, and construction in connection to helping those students. -
First Charter School
City Academy High School was the first charter school opened in the United States. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, the schools caters to children who have had challenges in normal academic settings, thus allowing them to focus on furthering their education or eventually finding employment after completion. -
California Proposition 227
This Proposition passed requiring all California public schools to be taught nearly or all in English. This took away from LEP students limiting their time in special classes and that special LEP classes should not last more than a year long. -
Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe
A public prayer was given before every home football game at a Santa Fe High School. Some families claimed that the prayer violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The school district argued that they did not because it was modified and it was private speech. On June 19, 2000, the Supreme Court gave its opinion that the prayers did violate the Establishment Clause due to it being a public speech on government property and school events. -
Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1
In the Seattle school district students are allowed to apply to whichever high school they would like to attend. When there were too many students to fill each students' top choice, the school district would revert to a tiebreaker based on race which would keep up their 40% white 60% non-white population. The Supreme Court ruled on June 28, 2007 that the tiebreaker violated the Equal Protection of the 14th Amendment. -
Every Child Achieves Act of 2015
This act ends federal based testing required for accountability of school districts. Instead, it allows state/local levels to create an accountability system (their own testing) while making sure every student is meeting standards. In addition, it helps improve low performing schools and accounts for those with disabilities to use alternate achievement standards for testing.
