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Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
This case continued separation between races. The idea being that even if races were kept separate, they were still equal. No group was at a disadvantage. The parties involved were Homer Plessy who challenged segregation and Judge Howard Ferguson who upheld the Separate Car Act. This decision had a negative impact on the community because no change occurred to support people of color. They had to continue their fight for equity. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The supreme court determined that states could no longer keep races segregated. They established that doing so was unconstitutional. This case involved Oliver Brown who was the father of Linda Brown. The case was organized and fundraised by the NAACP. The entire nation was affected because this was a major change, one that many states were not ready for. But it was a huge step toward desegregation. -
1. Title IX (1972)
Title IX ensured that there was no gender discrimination happening in any school that was being federally funded. The US congress passed this law, and it affected schools across the United States. Athletes were affected as were educators who had to ensure that opportunities were being given to female students as well. It really helped ensure that women had opportunities in their education and sports. As with any major change there was resistance from many schools. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975)
This act made sure that children with disabilities received free quality education. Congress passed the act and this would affect schools across the United States as well as families with children with disabilities and educators, some of who had not worked with children with disabilities in the past. The major impact ensured integration of children with disabilities into public schools and improved access. -
Plyler v. Doe (1982)
In this case the Supreme Court determined that no child in any state could be denied free public education even if they were not of US citizenship. This case was started by families that were living in Texas in undocumented status. This affected undocumented children throughout the United States as it ensured that they were able to receive an education and could help reduce some inequalities as it related to who was receiving education. -
Roosevelt Elementary School District No. 66 v. Bishop (1994)
In Arizona school districts sued the state because they felt that with the state counting on local property taxes to fund public schools created gaps between schools in wealthy communities and schools in poor communities. They believed that this was a violation of the constitution. This case involved many school districts in Arizona. The AZ Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, and it ultimately led to Students FIRST. -
No Child Left Behind Act (2001)
This act which sounds promising at heart actually hurt a lot of students because schools were hyper focused on testing children and how they performed on tests. A lot of students were passed to the next grade level without being ready because schools did not want to seem as failing, something that is still having an impact on the US today. This act was passed during the George W. Bush administration. -
Proposition 308
Proposition 308 which was approved by voters in Arizona in November of 2022 is giving undocumented students the opportunity to pay in-state tuition at any Arizona public college. Prior to this proposition undocumented students were being charged out-of-state tuition which is a lot higher. This proposition is impactful because if is such a step forward in educational equity and more so because it passed in Arizona who is known for being very conservative.