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Santa Fe School District v. Doe
When some students were upset by the student-led prayer that took place before the football game at Santa Fe Independent School, they sued the district for infringing upon the Establishment Clause. The students felt that by the district allowing the prayer to take place before the football game, they were endorsing a religion. The court ruled that it was in fact violating the Establishment Clause ("Religious Liberty," n.d.). -
No Child Left Behind Act
President Bush signs the No Child Left Behind Act. The act enforces standarized testing and if schools fail to have successful results, there are consequences. The main goal of this was to hold schools accountable for how well the students do ("The New Rules", n.d.) -
The Higher Education Act
The Higher Education Act of 1965 is reauthorized. The act helps students who come from a low or middle income background attend a higher education institute. The reauthorization of the act increased funds and programs for students who need it ("Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965", 2005). -
Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District
Teaching "intelligent design" in public schools was ruled unconstitutional. The court made this decision because "intelligent design" revovles religion. This trial gained quite a bit of attention because it was the first of its nature ("Kitzmiller v. Dover," 2008). -
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act
When President Obama signed this, the United States was in terrible economic shape. One of the goals of this act was to secure the jobs of teachers and to improve the schools. Approximately 97.4 billion dollars was used to achieve this ("American Recovery and Reinvestment Act", n.d.). -
Quest to Learn
In New York City, a new school opens that bases its curriculum off of games. This is the first school to do this. Through the years, they plan to expand all the way to twelfth grade ("Quest to Learn," n.d.). -
Flexibility from the No Child Left Behind Act
President Obama announces that ten states are granted flexibility from No Child Left Behind. The flexibility will alllow the states to make their schools more effective all around. The ten states are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Tennesee (Brenchley, 2012). -
Philadelphia School District Lays Off Employees
3,783 employees of the Philadelphia School District are laid off. The employees were let go because of budget cuts. 676 teachers, 160 assistant principals, 283 guidance counselors and 1,202 aides all were eliminated (Lattanzio, 2013). -
Common Core Education Standards in Indiana
Mike Pence, governor of Indiana, signed legislation that would eliminate Common Core standards from Indiana schools. Over the years, there has been growing criticism of Common Core standards. Pence feels that in time, more states will follow his lead (Nicks, 2014). -
Presisdent Obama Opts for Less Standardized Testing
President Obama calls for schools to focus less on testing. The administration declares that testing should take no more than 2 percent of class time. The administration doesn't want to completely get rid of standardized testing, but they feel too much emphasis is put on testing (Zernike, 2015).
