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1965 - The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is passed on April 9.
Part of Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty," it provides federal funds to help low-income students, which results in the initiation of educational programs such as Title I and bilingual education. -
1972 - Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 becomes law.
Though many people associate this law only with girl's and women's participation in sports, Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in all aspects of education. -
1973 - The Rehabilitation Act becomes law.
Section 504 of this act guarantees civil rights for people with disabilities in the context of federally funded institutions and requires accommodations in schools including participation in programs and activities as well as access to buildings. Today, "504 Plans" are used to provide accommodations for students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education or an IEP. -
1974 - Federal Judge Arthur Garrity orders busing of African American students to predominantly white schools in order to achieve racial integration of public schools in Boston, MA.
White parents protest, particularly in South Boston. -
1982 - In the case of Plyler v. Doe, the U.S. Supreme Court rules in a 5-4 decision that Texas law denying access to public education for undocumented school-age children violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
The ruling also found that school districts cannot charge tuition fees for the education of these children. -
1994 - The Improving America's Schools Act (IASA) is signed into law by President Bill Clinton on January 25th.
It reauthorizes the ESEA of 1965 and includes reforms for Title I; increased funding for bilingual and immigrant education; and provisions for public charter schools, drop-out prevention, and educational technology. -
2003 - The Higher Education Act is again amended and reauthorized, expanding access to higher education for low and middle income students, providing additional funds for graduate studies, and increasing accountability.
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2004 - H.R. 1350, The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), reauthorizes and modifies IDEA.
Changes, which take effect on July 1, 2005, include modifications in the IEP process and procedural safeguards, increased authority for school personnel in special education placement decisions, and alignment of IDEA with the No Child Left Behind Act. -
2014 - President Barack Obama signs the 1.1-trillion dollar bipartisan budget bill on January 17.
The bill restores some, but not all, of the cuts to federal education programs that resulted from sequestration. It is the first budget to be agreed to by our divided government since 2009. -
2015 - On January 9, President Barack Obama announces a plan to allow two years of free community college for all American students.
However, with Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, there seems little hope that this proposal will be implemented any time soon.
