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Plessy v. Ferguson
The Plessy v. Ferguson case involved Homer Plessy, who was arrested for sitting in a "whites-only" railroad car in Louisiana. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-1 that segregation was legal under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This decision legalized racial segregation, leading to widespread inequality, especially in education and public services, until Brown v. Board of Education overturned it. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The Brown v. Board of Education case challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine, arguing that segregation in public schools created inequality. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," leading to the desegregation of schools. While this was a key step in dismantling institutional racism in education, full desegregation was slow and faced significant resistance. -
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
The case involved students John and Mary Beth Tinker, who were suspended for wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The Supreme Court ruled that students retain their constitutional rights to free speech in school, but schools can limit speech if it disrupts the learning environment. The decision affirmed students' rights to express themselves in schools. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments
Title IX is a federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities. It ensures equal access to education for both men and women, including in sports and academics. Title IX greatly expanded opportunities for women and girls, particularly in athletics, where women’s sports had been historically underfunded and neglected. -
Lau v. Nichols
This case addressed whether public schools had to provide services to students with limited English skills. The Supreme Court ruled that not offering English-language instruction was discriminatory. As a result, schools were required to provide language assistance, creating ESL programs for non-English-speaking students. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This law required public schools to provide free and appropriate education to children with disabilities. This established the right for children with disabilities to receive special education services tailored to their needs. It created a foundation for inclusive education, ensuring that children with disabilities had access to the same educational opportunities as their peers, though challenges with implementation persisted. -
Goss v. Lopez
The case dealt with whether students are entitled to a hearing before being suspended. The Supreme Court ruled that students must receive notice and a hearing before suspension, as denying this violated their due process rights. The decision ensured that students would have due process protections in disciplinary matters at school. -
Plyler v. Doe
The case examined whether states could deny public education to undocumented immigrant children. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states could not deny these children access to education under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision guaranteed the right to education for all children, regardless of immigration status.