Eight Legislative Milestones in Public Education

This act provided help with business ventures, mortgages, and college tuition for troops returning to civilian life after WWII. College or vocational school was largely tuition free, and there was also a stipend for living expenses while the veteran was attending school. Almost 49% of college admissions in 1947 were Veterans (History.com). The GI Bill greatly expanded the middle class and the expectation of higher education for middle class students.

History.com Editors.(2019). G.I. Bill. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/gi-bill

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_vv7GwVkAU

Sought to provide more opportunities for more students to attend college, through such means as scholarships, financial aid programs, and low cost (or no cost) student loans. Assistance is provided to institutions as well as individuals and families. Also established the National Teacher Corps (Hegji).

Hegji, A. The Higher Education Act Primer.(2018). Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43351.pdf

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ifO9Fam7CA

Actually, Title IX is part of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. The Act requires any institution receiving federal funding to not discriminate on the basis of gender when it comes to program availability, funding and opportunities in education and related programs (DOJ).

United States Department of Justice.(2015). Overview of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/crt/overview-title-ix-education-amendments-1972-20-usc-1681-et-seq

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kNG78T9N5c

This was one of the first cases involving segregation in the north. In Keyes, the Court found that segregation had occurred in the school district, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment. Although no laws or policies were in place that specifically segregated the district, the actions of he Board of Education resulted in defacto segregation. A "dual system" of education was found to have been created, and the Court ordered the entire district to be desegregated, "root and branch" (CLRC)

Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse, University of Michigan School of Law. "Case Profile: Keyes v. School District No. 1.". Retrieved from https://www.clearinghouse.net/detail.php?id=1051.

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBXg-zbM0kc

Reinforced and expanded provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act reaffirmed that discrimination against faculty, administrators, staff, and students on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or color was illegal. Additionally, the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 prohibits, among other conduct, deliberate segregation on the basis of race, color, and national origin. (Dept. of Justice, 2019) This came on the heels of court ordered busing - school desegregation practices which had recently started based on Supreme Court decisions in cases like Keyes v. School District #1 , Denver (1973).

United States Department of Justice. (2019). Types of Educational Opportunities Discrimination. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/crt/types-educational-opportunities-discrimination.

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYgKLqBQ7Vs

Also known as FERPA. Established the right to privacy for students and families regarding student academic records. It divided student information into three categories: educational information, personally identifiable information, and directory information. Each type of information has its own regulations and protections in place (Hlavac and Easterly).

Hlavac, G and Easterly, E.(2015). FERPA Primer: The Basics and Beyond. National Association of Colleges and Employers. Retrieved from https://www.naceweb.org/public-policy-and-legal/legal-issues/ferpa-primer-the-basics-and-beyond/

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhlDkS8hvMU

The forerunner of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
This act established the right to an education for disabled or handicapped students. There was a focus on due process and procedures, giving students and parents the means to hold schools accountable (Wright).

Wright, P. The History of Special Education Law. (2010, rev.2020) Wrightslaw website. Retrieved from https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO2YHt0ksRs

Evolved from the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. First passed in 1990, it was most recently updated in 2004. Its focus is to provide children with disabilities the same opportunity for education as those students who do not have a disability. It has a focus on access to an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment for the individual (DOE).

IDEA. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://sites.ed.gov/idea/

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgwstMsPvd4

Established requirements for demonstrating rigorous minimum proficiency standards in the core content areas. Both disabled and nondisabled students were included, with the development and administration of assessments to be done at the State level. There was a heavy focus on increasing achievement among poor and disadvantaged students (Wright).

Wright, P. The History of Special Education Law. (2010, rev.2020) Wrightslaw website. Retrieved from https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm

Of further interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5hLJDBm2pU