-
Plessy V. Ferguson
Plessy V. Ferguson was a landmark case in the late 19th century. The case established the separate-but-equal clause which was in effect until about 1954. The clause stated that segregation of things like restaurants, water fountains and most of all schools was ok. This is where the concept of Blacks only, Coloreds only and Whites only schools came from. It would later be overturned by the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown V. Board. -
Brown V. Board of Education, Topeka
Brown V. The Board of Education was another landmark Supreme Court decision that was decided in 1954. It established that white kids and children of color had equal opportunity for school and were allowed to integrate. Those facilities also had to be equal, overruling Plessy. It was the first time interracial classrooms existed. Prior to Brown, white kids went to white schools and children of color went to "colored schools", no matter their distance. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the biggest Civil Rights bill up to that point. We saw that basically integration becomes legal. The days of separation of schools, hospitals, restaurants were over. I mention this bill with Brown since it made Brown V. Board law of the land. It made sure that children would always share a classroom no matter their race. This would soon transition into not just race but sex, gender identity, orientation or national origin. -
Tinker V. Des Moines Indendent Community School District
Tinker V. Des Moines established free speech for students in schools. It allowed students to finally have a voice and not be limited with what they have to say. It made it so that students could talk about and discuss what they wanted. Now that came with limitations and schools decided how far the limits went. Legislation throughout the years also decided how far the limits could go. Overall, students today still have a majority right to free speech in schools. -
Title IX
Title IX was a law passed alongside the Education Amendments of 1972. It made it so that you could no longer be discriminated against because of sex in education. Title IX is a big reason why we have female sports and why, what we used to consider "classes strictly for girls and guys" is an old age concept. It is made so that no matter how you identify, male, female, they, whatever it may be, you can't be discriminated against. Title IX's passage has also made it easier to report SA and SH. -
Education of All Handicapped Children
President Ford signed this act into law to allow handicapped students the opportunity for fair education like everyone else. Every child deserves to learn and with this law, schools made accommodations for children who were handicapped, either mentally or physically. This gave funding to the states to allow for these accommodations. It's why today we have classes for special education and why everyone has a fair chance. It shows that everyone deserves a chance to learn, no matter what. -
Plyer V. Doe
Plyer V. Doe allowed kids of any and all backgrounds, regardless of immigration status to go to school. Prior to this decision, schools could deny students entry due to being undocumented and a law that was passed in Texas is a big reason this decision was passed. It also made it so that teachers could legally no longer ask a student's immigration status. It dramatically increased enrollment in schools and increased minority graduation rates. It helped also with school diversity. -
New Jersey V. TLO
New Jersey V. TLO established that schools have a right to search student property on school grounds without a warrant. This has helped schools catch things like guns, drugs and alcohol and other content that isn't normally permitted on campus. There are limits and staff can't be going through bags whenever they want. This has also made it to the modern era as teachers and staff can go through student phones to find information they need about something. Overall the case is very controversial. -
No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind reinstated the Elementary and Secondary Education Acts. This law made standardized testing the normal in schools. It made schools accountable for making sure their students were educated. This law since has had its pros and cons. It shows us the progress of how students are advancing and keeping hold of the content. It also makes it so students are constantly having to throw out old knowledge to make way for new knowledge. -
Morse V. Frederick
Morse V. Frederick was a Supreme Court decision that limited student free speech. A group of students held a sign saying "Bong Hits for Jesus". The group was suspended and was trying to get attention for the Olympic torch running. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court decided that student free speech can be limited if it's deemed harmful. The sign could be seen as harmful since it could be offensive to some to make marijuana references to Jesus Christ.