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Plessy V. Ferguson
Plessy V. Ferguson, was a United States Supreme court case that resulted in a "Separate but Equal" rule in this country. Homer Plessy refused to sit in a segregated train car meant for blacks only. He knew his constitutional rights were being violated by being forced to sit separately from white people. This Supreme Court verdict confirmed that segregation continue for another 50 years. This unjust case not only hurt Mr. Plessy, but countless of Black American generations. -
Brown V. The Board of Education, Topeka
Brown V. The Board of Education was actually 5 separate court cases that were consolidated into one by the time they reached the Supreme Court. These cases were essentially arguing that having separate schools was inherently not equal at all. This was contrary to the Plessy V. Ferguson decision. The major victory in this case was the beginning of desegregation in our country's schools. Although it would be years for this process, this decision would change our schools for the better. -
Tinker V. Des Moines (1969)
Tinker V. Des Moines was a Supreme Court case where Mary Beth Tinker a 13 year old student wore a black armband to school in protest to the Vietnam war. Mary Beth, her brother and 3 others were suspended from school. Their attorney, Dan Johnston and the ACLU argued that students do not give up their freedom of speech once they walk into school. Although there are guidelines, such as not being disruptive, these students were within their rights to protest by wearing their black armbands. -
Title IX
Title IX may historically be perceived as an Amendment that was passed at the height of the Women's Liberty Movement but it protects all people of all sex, and genders. Although the Education Amendment of Title IX protects equal access to athletics it also protects that women have equal access to education. Women are also protected from expulsion because of pregnancies. Just as important women are protected by Title IX from retaliation when reporting any sexual assault to school's or employer. -
San Antonio Independent School District V. Rodriguez (TX 1973)
The San Antonio Independent School District V. Rodriguez was the Supreme Court case that was brought on by Demetrio Rodriguez and 7 other parents whose students attended Edgewood High School. They argued that schools located in low property taxed communities did not have a fair and balance school funding system.They stated that education was a fundamental right and that poor Mexican American students were being treated as "Suspect Class". The decision was 5 to 4 against, which was a great loss. -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act
The Education of all Handicapped Children Act was enacted by congress in 1975. The Act was to ensure that students with disabilities be given the opportunity to benefit from federal funds provided to public schools. It requires schools meet Students with disabilities unique needs by providing resources in their local schools, as many families are forced to travel far beyond their districts. It also gives parents the right to dispute decisions made by the school they do not agree with. -
Plyler V. Doe
The education system in The United States was created to support an "Intellectual Culture of Enlightenment" and Plyler V. Doe was the Supreme court case that argued this basic fact. When the Texas Legislature demanded that enrollment in public schools be denied to students who could not prove they were "legally admitted" to the U.S. Ultimately the court decided no student be denied an education based on their immigration status. Unfortunately this decision continues to be challenged. -
Chipman V. Grant County Independent School District
Chipman V. Grant County I.S.D. is a case in the Eastern District of Kentucky where, Somer Chipman and Chasity Glass, were denied membership to the Grant County National Honor Society. Both students had a G.P.A. well above a 3.5 which was the requirement threshold for admittance to the NHS.They were the only two students denied admittance and sued on the basis that they were being denied because of their pregnancies. They won their court case with title IX support, and were allowed NHS honors..
