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1642-Massachusetts Bay School Law is passed.
It requires that parents ensure their children know the principles of religion and the capital laws of the commonwealth. This was important to start the idea that children should know the laws and religion of their community. Learning these basics would prepare them for their future. -
1821-Boston English High School opens
One of the first public high schools in the U.S. opens. It was created to help educate boys who were within the working-class. The school would prepare them for business or engineering trades. -
1849-In the case of Roberts v. City of Boston
the Massachusetts Supreme Court rules that the Boston Public Schools can deny enrolment of African American children to segregated, "whites-only" schools. The case is later cited as a precedent for the Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) ruling.
This was important to lead the way for Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board. It was a hard for African American's to gain equal education due to the start of segregation. -
1931- Alvarez vs. The Board of Trustees of the Lemon Grove School District
Lemon Grove becomes the first successful school desegregation court case in the United States, as the local court forbids the school district from placing Mexican-American children in a separate "Americanization" school. This was a major milestone in favor of Mexican-American people due to the commonplace of segregation. This also was an isolated case in california. -
1954-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," thus overturning its previous ruling in the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson. Brown v. Board of Education is actually a combination of five cases from different parts of the country. It is a historic first step in the long and still unfinished journey toward equality in U.S. education.
This was a major milestone that helped put an end to segregation in schools. It helped put in motion a vision of equality for education for all. -
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. This was important to cover students who needed help outside of the special education label. -
1990-The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) becomes law
Essentially a civil rights law, it prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities in all areas, including education. This paired with IDEA to help further cover anyone with disabilities. Giving fair access to education and jobs to those with disabilities. -
2001- No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is approved
Mandates high-stakes student testing, holds schools accountable for student achievement levels, and provides penalties for schools that do not make adequate yearly progress toward meeting the goals of NCLB. This helped to ensure that students would not fall between the cracks of the education system. Helped to put achievement levels in place based upon grades. -
2004-The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act, reauthorizes and modifies IDEA
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. The 2004 reauthorization also requires school districts to use the Response to Intervention (RTI) approach as a means for the early identification of students at risk for specific learning disabilities.
This helped shape IDEA further for the betterment of all students and staff. -
2009-The Common Core State Standards
"a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers," is launched.
This helped outline a college focused education that focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). It also helped to prepare students in high school for college or entering the workforce.
