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Free schooling in Massachusetts
Massachusets made free public school available to everyone. -
Common School Movement starts
Common schools, argued for by Horace Mann, were free, public schools that were unaffiliated with specific religious denominations or political agendas. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
In the 1880's there were laws making Black and White train riders sit in different train cars. In 1892, Homer Adolph Plessy, a mixed-race African American, refused to sit in the train car for Black people. He was arrested for not moving to the 'proper' train car. He claimed that being segregated and forced to sit in a different area was a violation of his rights. The Supreme Court's decision was that racial segregation was constitutional. The ruling supported 'separate but equal'. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
This case came about because Linda Brown had to attend a far, packed school for African-American children instead of a less-crowded school for White kids nearby. Several parents sued the Topeka, Kansas school system claiming the separation was a violation of the 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court overturned the Plessy vs. Ferguson ruling of separate but equal. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
A big part of President Johnson's 'War on Poverty', this law helped fund professional development, educational resources, and teaching materials. The goal was to provide everyone with a good education. -
Title IX
Title IX is a federal law signed by President Nixon prohibiting discrimination in federally-funded education or training programs based on sex. It now supports anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This law affects schools, libraries, museums, state parks, and other institutions in situations like admissions, sports, financial aid, accessibility, and more. -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act
This federal law signed by President Ford made it mandatory for public schools to give disabled students equal access to a free, appropriate education. Under this law, accessibility was improved. Aides and interpreters had to be provided for disabled students. Schools had to make sure those with mobility issues could get around. This law later became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. -
Plyler vs. Doe
In Texas, there was a statute that schools with students who came to the U.S. illegally would not get funding for their education and allowed districts to refuse those students enrollment. This Supreme Court case struck down that statute on the grounds that it violated the 14th Amendment. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
This used to be the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. During later amendments the name was changed. Disabled students had to be evaluated to determine what needs weren't being met and how to accommodate them. -
No Child Left Behind Act
Signed by President George W. Bush, this law required schools to meet benchmarks through standardized testing to help better student achievement and hold schools accountable. Schools that did not improve, as seen in data collected from the tests, were penalized. The law was meant to help students who had disadvantages or who were underperforming. It also made sure teachers were certified and had bachelor's degrees. This law was replaced in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
This law, spearheaded and signed by President Obama, was the replacement for No Child Left Behind when it became clear that the old law was not working. It kept protections for needy students and required standards of teaching that would prepare students for the future. Its main goal was to keep schools accountable.