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Common School Movement - 1830-1872
This movement aimed to make education free and accessible while being funded by public dollars. This movement is still discussed and affects us today because it is one of the most significant issues schools face across the U.S.: having enough funds for educational resources to be free and available to children. Many schools today make their students pay for specific resources that not all students can afford. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
The case occurred in Louisiana because Plessy refused to sit in a car meant for Black people. This case was the first primary that took effect with the 14th Amendment as it violated the Equal-Protection clause. This case has impacted us today because we can now have public transportation for any individual, despite their race or color. Also, students can use school transportation such as school buses and not be judged based on their race or color. -
National School Lunch Act
President Harry Truman signed this act into law in 1946. The National School Lunch act was created for those children who come from families or low-income or no income. This is a federally funded program that is still ongoing today. This program continues to grow. For example, this year, 2022-23, California has become the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program. -
Brown v. The Board of Education, Topeka
The case occurred in Kansas after Brown’s daughter, Linda Brown, was not allowed to enter an all-white elementary school. This event led to the beginning of protests. The case reached a significant milestone for American Civil Rights. This event still impacts us today because it is still in the works as schools, neighborhoods, and public places are still suffering segregation. It continues to be a work in progress. -
Head Start Program
This program was created to help preschool children from low-income families meet their essential health, social and emotional needs. This program promotes educational attainment and provides our children the opportunity to succeed as they are eventually the next generation. This program is effective today because it helps break the cycle of poverty. -
Title IX
Title IX was enacted into law in 1972, prohibiting gender and sexual discrimination in any educational-related activities that have received financial help. Title IX is a help in our educational systems today as it allows any gender to participate in any federally funded educational program without being discriminated against. For example, today, women can participate freely in any athletic sport without discrimination of their gender. -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act
President Gerald Ford signed this law. This law protects all disabled children by providing appropriate education and being treated equally as a child who does not have a disability. This affects us today because there are children in every educational system we encounter with disabilities, and other children must respect and value them for who they are. -
Plyler v. Doe
A landmark decision was made that states cannot legally deny any student a free public education, despite what their immigration status is. Plyler fought for all students equal access to free public education, although anti-immigrants continue to fight over this decision. This affects us today because multiple students are immigrants and have access to public education, but there are often minor issues that they run into during the process. -
No Child Left Behind Act
President George W. Bush initially began this law that schools would be held accountable and responsible for children's education. The “NO Child Left Behind” meaning speaks for itself, this means that No Child would be left behind and would make significant academic growth each year, so each student would have an opportunity to succeed. A new law called “Every Student Succeeds Act” replaced this law on December 10, 2015. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
President Barack Obama acts to ensure each child and school is successful. ESSA is still in effect today, similar to the “No Child Left Behind” ESSA provides and offers identical goals and values for our children today. This negatively impacts certain students today because some children do not qualify for free lunches, as they have to pay for their meals daily. It should be fair for all students to have free lunches.