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"Learning Disability" is defined and accepted leading to the formation of the the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities
In 1963, a group of parents organized a conference to discuss the need for additional education services for children with learning disabilities. Dr. Samuel Kirk coined the term learning disability in his conference paper and presentation and brought national spotlight to the issue. As a result, the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, now the Learning Disabilities Association of America, was formed allowing children across the US to receive proper support for their disabilities. -
Project Head Start Begins
As part of President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty," the Head Start program was started. This program was to meant to help with education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services for communities' disadvantaged preschool-aged children. The program has expanded and is still running today. This program allows disadvantaged children to receive a "head start" in their education getting them to a more level playing field for when they enter K-12 education. -
Diana v. California State Board
This court ruling resulted in schools being required to test students in their native language for determining IQ or intellectual disabilities. The percentage of ESL students in special education dropped significantly once tests were administered in student's native languages. This was important to multicultural education because it acknowledged the importance of teaching in a way every student can understand and that multilingual students can excel in the right environment. -
Title IX Amendment Becomes Law
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is passed into law making it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex in relation to education. There are many exceptions to this law, and it only applies when federal financing is involved, but it was a step in the right direction for gender equality. Today it also covers procedures for reporting and handling instances of sexual violence. This gave women more equal access to education and school funding. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 made it illegal for programs receiving federal funds to discriminate against people with disabilities. Often, students with mild disabilities that may not qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will qualify for a 504 Plan with their school. The law also covers students of all ages which differs from many other disability laws regarding education. This law is important because it is inclusive of the disabled community. -
Busing of African American Students ordered by Judge Garrity
Federal Judge Garrity orders African American students to be bused to predominately white schools in Boston to force school integration. He was met with strong opposition from parents of the white children and received many death threats. He was a true believer in equal education for all students and wanted all to have a bright future. Multicultural education is at the forefront of this action. -
Plyler v. Doe
The Plyer v. Doe court case ruled that states cannot deny free public education to students based on immigration status. This ruling made it easier for non-native students to receive an education. However, many states passed district specific policies for new student identification that served as a bypass for this ruling. This is important to multicultural education because it seeks to include immigrants in general education rather than exclude them. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act Becomes Law
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in all areas, including education, jobs, transportation, and any public or private places that are open to the general public. This is important because the ADA gives the same types of protections as laws against discrimination based on sex, race, religion, age, etc. -
Improving America's Schools Act of 1994
The Improving America's Schools Act was part of the Clinton Administration's education reform efforts. The Act provided more funding to bilingual and immigrant education, provided extra help for disadvantaged children to meet higher academic standards, promoted charter schools, and promoted safe and drug-free schools. -
Prop. 58. California Multilingual Education Act
Prop 58. The California Multilingual Education Act repealed Prop 227 from 1998 that stated all children must be taught in English only. Prop 58 allows districts and county offices to decide which language instruction and acquisition programs would best benefit their students. This comes from studies showing the benefits of dual-language immersion programs for English language mastery.
