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Cardinal Principles Report
This report highlighted that educational inequality was increased because all students had the same exact traditional path in education. It recommended a comprehensive approach to include not only general education but also vocational development, citizenship education and physical activity. This method would help prepare students for life and work; they could go to college or into a career. This paved the way for elective classes that are still seen in high schools today. -
Great Depression
There was a lot of federal relief and job creation which provided education to many. The Works Progress Administration, Public Works Administration, and Natural Youth Administration provided many chances for youth to work. The Civilian Conservation Corps put unemployed young men to work and had voluntary education programs that taught them to read and write. These programs issued over 1,000 high school diplomas to those that wouldn't have had other opportunities to accomplish this otherwise. -
Brown v. Board of Education
United States Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” was actually unequal. This ruling paved the way for elimination of segregated schools. This case was preceded by many efforts to advance African American Education. Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois fought against inequality. Many cases were precursors for desegregation: Roberts v. City of Boston, Plessy v. Ferguson, and Cummings v. Richmond County Board of Education. This led up to all-inclusive public schools seen today. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Public Law 94-142 defined children with disabilities as those with not only physical but also emotional and learning disabilities. It established free and appropriate public education for all children with disabilities. At this time, individualized education plans (IEP), special education services, and least restrictive learning environments (LRE), all became part of public education. This Act became the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) in 1990 and is very much apparent in schools now. -
No Child Left Behind Act
This was the first serious attempt that the federal government made to hold states, districts and schools accountable for unequal achievement across student populations. Schools were forced to remedy achievement differences, improve test scores, enforce that teachers be highly qualified, and faced penalties for “failing”. NCLB has impacted schools all over the nation since its inception and continues to be a standard that is used to measure success in student achievement.
