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Thomas Jefferson's Proposal
A proposal by Thomas Jefferson, "A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge," was brought up. He wanted the public to support his plan of creating secondary and elementary schools. He said he wanted "all the free children, male and female" to be able to attend without having to pay. One of the key components of his plan was to teach civil literacy so that children could learn "self-government." This was a big step into creating schools that children could attend and learn from -
Land Grant Universities
One of the earliest mentions of school came from surveying the Northwest Territory when the Continental Congress passed a law to do so. This mapped out a local school per township. This was important because over time we have mimicked this idea by having certain amounts of schools per zip code. This essentially helped designate certain areas just for school and took a good step into creating schools for children. -
"Lancasterian Model"
Wealthy businessmen who wanted to provide poor children with a chance at an education created the New York Public School Society. This type of school focused on one "master" that taught a room full of hundreds of children. This was the first step to what eventually evolved into the classroom of today. This was one of the earliest forms of "school" or an institution where children then learned about discipline and obedience. -
State Board of Education Established
In 1837, the Massachusetts state board of education became established. Horace Mann, who at the time was a lawyer and legislator, dropped those titles to then become the secretary for the board. Mann believed that universal education was the primary building block for being politically stable and having "social harmony." That influenced his commitment to his position. He believed that education was "an absolute right." This paved the way into creating schools and showing how important they were. -
Massachusetts Making Moves
In 1855, Massachusetts becomes the first state to take a big step forward. They abolished legal segregation while all other states practiced it. Segregation was making things "separate but equal" for people who were not white. Blacks and other races had separate schools, restrooms, restaurants, and certain areas designated to them. This then made schools in Massachusetts integrated! However, unfortunately, with proceeding events many states would take steps backward. -
Plessy Vs Ferguson
Homer Adolph Plessy was arrested and put into jail after refusing to move to the "blacks only" cab in the train he caught from New Orleans to Covington. During the time, the 14th amendment existed that gave civil and legal rights to blacks. However, Plessy petitioned to the Supreme Court that the 14th amendment should have protected him from what had happened. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the 14th amendment only protected jury service and voting for blacks, and not "social rights." -
Brown V Board of Education
Linda Brown wanted to attend an all-white school that was less crowded and closer to where she lived in Topeka instead of taking a long commute to her black school. Linda's father argued that segregated schools were unconstitutional because they violated the 14th amendment. Because of the Plessy V Ferguson that happened 58 years prior, they chose a similar verdict because of "separate but equal." In 1954, segregation was unanimously ruled unconstitutional. Schools became integrated! -
Title IX
Title IX was signed into law and it said that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Meaning that sex discrimination was prohibited in schools. This protected students regardless of gender from experiencing discrimination. It guarantees equal opportunities to all. -
EAHCA / IDEA
The US Congress enacted The Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1975. Basically, this act required all public schools that were receiving funding be required to provide equal access to education to handicapped children. Prior to this act, disabled children were denied education or even the opportunity to obtain an education. After this act which is now called IDEA, children with mental and physical disabilities are now benefited by receiving proper education. -
Plyler V Doe
Plyler V Doe was very similar to Brown V Board of Education. However, this time it dealt with undocumented children's ability to go to public schools in Texas. Like Brown V Board, they argued that denying education was a violation of the 14th amendment. The Supreme Court ruled that it was a violation and that discriminating against a child of an undocumented person did not "comport with the fundamental conceptions of justice." Undocumented children were no longer denied an education. -
Title IX Violations
In 1990, Pfeffer v Marion was a case that was very similar to Chipman v Grant County School district in 1998. In both cases, the National Honors Society was involved. In 1990, after giving birth to a child in her junior year, a young woman's membership to the NHS was revoked. In 1998, some young women were denied membership because they were unwed mothers. This was a direct violation of the Title IX act that protected against discrimination because pregnant women saw discrimination when joining. -
Sheff v O'neil
In 1989, parents filed a suit that stated segregated schools violated a child's right to receive an opportunity for equal education. After being rejected then overturned, certain goals were placed to be met to include more integration. However, over time the goals were not met. It wasn't until January of 2020 that finally, the Court ruled to increase seats at Hartford and allow for more diversity. This shows that even to the present day, inequality in education still exists.
