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Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647
Massachusetts passes the Old Deluder Satan Act in 1647, laying the basis for public schools in America. Puritans valued literacy highly and they believed all individuals should be able to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. The act stated its intention was to thwart “ye old deluder, Satan” in his goal “to keepe men from the knowledge of ye Scriptures.” The act established several principles upon which public primary and secondary education continues to be today. -
1790
Pennsylvania state constitution calls for free public education but only for poor children. It is expected that rich people will pay for their children's schooling. -
Plessy v.Ferguson (1896)
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was a landmark US Supreme Court case involving Homer Plessy, a man of mixed race, who was arrested for sitting in a whites-only train car in Louisiana. The court ruled against Plessy, upholding state laws that mandated racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This decision legitimized widespread racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, impacting millions and leading to decades of civil rights struggle. -
Brown v. the Board of Education (1954)
NAACP's Thurgood Marshall argued segregation in Topeka schools violated the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. The Supreme Court overturned "separate but equal" established by Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that segregation in public schools was inherently unequal. This decision impacted millions of Black students across the US who had previously been denied equal educational opportunities. It also set the stage for the broader Civil Rights Movement. -
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Engel v. Vitale was a pivotal case that clearly defined the limitations on the state's ability to promote religion in public schools. It had a widespread impact and continues to shape the conversation about religious freedom and the separation of church and state in the U.S. While some may have felt negatively impacted by the loss of prayer in school, the decision has been fundamental in protecting religious minorities in public schools. -
Title IX (1972)
Prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds. Primarily involved Congress and advocacy groups. The passage of Title IX was the result of a lot of factors, including the rising feminist movement and growing awareness of systemic gender discrimination in education. Addressed unequal access opportunities for women in schools, especially athletics. Positively impacted female students and athletes, allowing equal chance to learn and compete. -
Keyes v. School District No. 1 (1973)
Keyes v. School District No. 1 was a landmark decision in which the Supreme Court held that the Denver Public Schools had intentionally segregated its schools, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The case began when Linda Keyes, a black student, and her family, represented by the NAACP, filed a lawsuit against the Denver Public Schools, alleging that the district's policies intentionally segregated schools based on race. -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act (1975)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA, was a landmark piece of federal legislation that altered the landscape of education for children with disabilities. Later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990 and amended further, its initial impact and continuing legacy are profound. Furthermore It was about redefining what was considered "education" and recognizing the inherent right of every child to receive a free and appropriate public education. -
Force v. Pierce City R-VI School District (1983)
The Force v. Pierce City R-VI School District case arose when a female student sought to try out for the boys' basketball team but was denied the opportunity due to her gender. This incident called into question the compliance of the Pierce School District with Title IX. This brought to light a systemic issue within the school's policies, which not only denied this young girl the chance to compete but also reflected a broader societal attitude towards female participation in sports. -
Plyler v. Doe (1982)
Plyler v. Doe involved undocumented children (represented by "Doe") vs. Texas. The state denied them free public school. SCOTUS ruled it unconstitutional, granting equal access to all children. It impacted undocumented children nationwide ensuring free education. The Court emphasized that children were not responsible for their parents’ immigration status and should not be penalized for it.