# data[].attributes.body
In 1946 federal courts decided Mendez v. Westminster. The ruling established equal access to public schools for nine year old Sylvia Mendez and generations of hispanic and other children. Judge Paul McCormick ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on the basis that the social, psychological, and pedagogical cost of segregated education were damaging to Mexican American students.

The district tried to appeal but the Ninth Circuit of Appeals ultimately upheld the decision, ruling that the schools actions violated California law. This case is important for later cases such as Brown v. Board of Education but also shows a clear example of members of the Mexican American community taking action for their rights and ultimately winning the fight.

# data[].attributes.body
On May 17, 1954, a decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case declared the "seperate but equal" doctrine to be unconstitutional. State-sanctioned segreagation of public schools was a violation of the 14th amendment and was therefore unconstitutional.

This landmark decision gave LDF its most celebrated victory in a long, storied history of fighting for civil rights and many say it marked a defining moment in US history.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1964, congress passed a law which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This act was put into force in order to end segregation in public places and also banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

This law was proposed by John F. Kennedy and was later signed into law by Kennedy's successor. In the following year, congress expanded the act and passed additional civil rights legislation such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

# data[].attributes.body
Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) was a 1970 district court case which determined that Mexican Americans were an "identifiable ethnic-minority group," and were subject to discriminatory educational practices. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling from 1954, helped establish Mexican Americans as an identifiable minority group and prove that segregation as well as discriminatory practices had been perpetuated and implemented knowingly by CCISD administration against Mexican American students.

# data[].attributes.body
The Indian Education Act establishes the Office of Indian Education and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, and provides federal funds for American Indian and Alaska Native education at all grade levels. Native Americans now had the power to operate their own schools. This act allowed more than seventy schools to take charge of their own operations.

This act was recognized as a turning ppint for Native Education and was critical for overall improving the quality of education for American Indians and Alaska Natives.