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Period: to
The 20th Century
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Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College, in Joliet, Illinois, opens. It is the first public community college in the U.S.
I included this event because I feel that without community colleges there are many students who would not be able to earn a higher education. Reducing accessibility would dramatically reduce the diversity pool, having a negative effect on the institutions multicultural ability. -
McCollum v. Board of Education
Disallowing schools the ability to use taxpayer money in order to teach religious practices had a direct effect on the multicultural aspect our classrooms today. McCollum v. Board of Education made it possible for a student of any religious background to not have to endure teaching practices that might not align with their religious practices. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The U.S. Supreme Court announces its decision in the case of Brown v. Board. of Education of Topeka, ruling that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal".
Brown v. Board paved the way for multiculturalism in schools as we know it. Without this verdict, the idea of multiculturalism might not even exist. Desegregating our schools is one of the real cornerstones of the Civil Rights movement. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 is voted into law in spite of Strom Thurmond's filibuster. Essentially a voting-rights bill, it is the first civil rights legislation since reconstruction and is a precursor to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
This bill was basically a stepping stone to and foreshadowing of things to come. It was a turning point in America that assured those of different backgrounds that relief was on the way. -
First African American to attend William Frantz Elementary School
First grader Ruby Bridges is the first African American to attend William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.
While this might seem like a blow to the movement itself, when all the white students were removed from the school, it marked a pivotal moment in multicultural education. Somebody had to be the first, and Ruby Bridges became a champion of Civil Rights that showed that it is possible to resist the prejudice in the face of public resistance. -
First Bilingual And Bicultural Public School In The United States
Only three years after Ruby Bridges was forced to attend school alone, the first bilingual public school was opened. This was a big step toward the idea of multiculturalism right in the middle of a tumultuous time in the history of the United States. It is hard to believe that bilingual schools are still a point of contention with some people today. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act is the standard-bearer when it comes to what America is supposed to be. The understanding that it is illegal to discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin, was a huge step on the right path for our country. Without this step, there would be no recourse for the mindless bigotry that has effected so many Americans and certainly no idea of how to teach a multicultural classroom. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
ESEA is passed providing federal funds to help low-income students, which results in the initiation of educational programs such as Title I and bilingual education.
By funding lower income schools, The Elementary and Secondary Education Act made it possible for students of all cultures and income levels to attend schools while receiving a decent education. Without this legislation classrooms would not be as diverse as they are today and cultures would not have begun to mesh. -
The Bilingual Education Act
The Bilingual Education Act, also known as Title VII, becomes law. After many years of controversy, the law is repealed in 2002 and replaced by the No Child Left Behind Act.
While this act was not perfect, it did help to highlight the injustices that students around the country might have been facing. Correcting the many speedbumps along the way led creating a more tolerant and multicultural society. -
The Refugee Act of 1980
The Refugee Act of 1980 is signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on March 18th. Building on the Immigration Act of 1965, it reforms immigration law to admit refugees for humanitarian reasons.
The signing of the Refugee Act created a flood of different cultures into our classrooms that our nation had not truly encountered before. Having millions of new students with a vast cultural diversity allowed us to expand the idea of what a multicultural education might be.
