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Common School Movement
Horace Mann spearheaded the Common School Movement, ensuring that every child could receive a basic education funded by local taxes in the 19th century. His influence soon spread beyond Massachusetts, who passed a compulsory education law, as more states took up the idea of universal schooling. James G. Carter, Henry Barnard, Samuel Lewis, Calvin Stowe, and Catharine Beecher were part of the people who helped push states to establish common schools, helping every child get a free education. -
Plessy V. Ferguson
The ruling in this Supreme Court case upheld a Louisiana state law that allowed for "equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races." The Supreme Court issued a 7–1 decision against Plessy. Homer Plessy, a mixed-race man, boarded a white-only train car in New Orleans, violating the Separate Car Act and led to this case opening. John H. Ferguson ruled against him. People of color were negatively affected as segregation continued to be legal, not having fair opportunities. -
Brown v. the Board of Education, Topeka
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren delivered the unanimous ruling in this landmark civil rights case. The U.S. Supreme Court declared state laws establishing separate public schools for students of different races to be unconstitutional. People of color were affected positively, as they now can attend to any school to pursue their education. Oliver L. Brown, Robert Carter, Thurgood Marshall, Frank Reeves, and many others were significant people who helped make this case successful. -
National Defense Education Act of 1958
The National Defense Education Act of 1958 became one of the most successful legislative initiatives in higher education. The federal government increased the amount of money available for low-interest student loans, supporting both public and private colleges and universities. U.S. federal legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower. This act helped many low income students get a higher education and helped expand resources. -
Project Head Start
Project Head Start, launched as an eight-week summer program by the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1965, was designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs. President Lyndon B. Johnson created head start. This positively helped many low income children under the age of school entry and their families, no matter their race or ethnicity. -
The Higher Education Act of 1965
The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA; P.L. 89-329) authorizes numerous federal aid programs that provide support to both individuals pursuing a postsecondary education and institutions of higher education. The Higher Education Act of 1965 was reauthorized multiple times. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this legislation. It helped many as it increased federal money given to universities, created scholarships, and gave low-interest loans for students. -
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Mary Beth Tinker and her brother wore black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War. The administration prohibited wearing the armbands, as they feared it would cause a disruption. The Tinkers were removed from school when they failed to comply, but the Supreme Court ruled that their actions were protected by the First Amendment. This landmark shows many students that they have a voice and can do something to make a difference, as they have their freedom of speech. -
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity) discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Title IX was formally introduced in Congress by Senator Birch Bayh of Indiana in 1971. Later leading U.S. President Nixon to sign the bill. This helped many women and people part of the LGBTQ+ community pursue their goals and receive assistance. -
Lau v. Nichols, 414 U.S. 563 (1974)
San Francisco's education system was accused of failing to give non-English speaking Chinese-American students with equal protection since more English language instruction was not offered. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the students. This case paved the way for future decisions regarding bilingual education. -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act
President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The Handicapped Act to improve educational services in local public schools for children with mental, physical, emotional, and learning handicaps require that free appropriate public education be available for all handicapped children. Positively affecting all children with any type of disability, and helping them get a fair and equal education. -
Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982)
The Supreme Court issued Plyler v. Doe, a landmark decision holding that states cannot constitutionally deny students a free public education on account of their immigration status. William Brennan, Byron White, Thurgood Marshall, Harry Blackmun, Lewis Powell, William Rehnquist, John Paul Stevens, Sandra Day O'Connor were involved. This affected many immigrant children positively as they now have a right to public education -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015. This reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. Helping students get taught high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers.
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