Federal Acts and Court Cases Involving Federal Role in Public Education

Required a system of public education to be established in each township formed under a specified formula. Regulated monies raised via selling or renting land, or taxes.

Discussed a national university and urged federal involvement in public education. Seen as critical to preparation for citizenship in a republican form of government.

Congress granted 77+ million acres of land in the public domain as endowments for support of schools. Federal government also granted surplus money to states for public education.

Donated public lands to states to be used for the endowment to support and maintain at least one college with specific purpose of teaching agriculture, mechanic arts and industrial education.

Began to collect data – information on schools and teaching that would help states establish effective school systems.

Gave the Office of Education responsibility for administering support for the original system of land-grant colleges.

Promoted vocational schools. Repealed 1997.

Eased the burden on communities affected by presence of military and federal installations through payments to school districts.

Provided post secondary education assistance to GIs returning from WW II.

Provided funding for agricultural, industrial and home economics training for high school students.