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Mendez et al. v. Westminster School District of Orange County 

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Mendez et al. v. Westminster School District of Orange County 

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This case fought for the desegregation of Mexican students in schools in 1947. Gonzalo Mendez created a lawsuit against the elementary school that refused to allow his three children to attend. Although the school decided to allow attendance for his children in order to avoid a lawsuit, he refused, hoping to fight for all Mexican people. In the end, “the court ruled that segregation was illegal because it was not required by state law and because there was no valid educational justification for segregation” (Spring 127). This case was a stepping stone to the Brown v. Board of Education case because it was the first case to hold that school segregation is unconstitutional.

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In 1954, this case famously ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Oliver Brown filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education of Topeka after his daughter, Linda Brown, was denied entrance to an all-white elementary school. This case fought to prove that "separate but equal" facilities were not actually equal for all people. The case ended by saying that the segregation of public schools was unconstitutional as a violation of the 14th amendment, although “the decision did not bring immediate results, because of resistance to court-ordered desegregation” (Spring 115). This case is important because it was the first time segregation was ruled illegal, and sets the precedent for the equal education that we hope to have in schools across the country.

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In 1957, a group of nine black students enrolled at a formerly all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. The students were prevented from entering the school by the governor of Arkansas and other protestors. However, with the help of the Arkansas National Guard, the students were eventually allowed to enter the school. This event was an important part of the fight for equal opportunity for all students attending public schools in America.

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For the entire 1958-1959 school year, Orval Faubus, the governor of Arkansas, closed all public high schools in Little Rock, Arkansas. They chose to close all public schools rather than desegregate them. Many white students attended private school that year, while black students were left without another option, causing large numbers to drop out or go into work or the military. The 'lost year' was important because it demonstrates how Brown v. Board of Education's ruling that segregation is unconstitutional did not automatically solve these problems for people.

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Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

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Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

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In 1975, Congress passed this act, allowing the government to contract with tribal governments for federal services. This meant that Native American people were able to operate their own schools, and “in a local school district receiving funds for the education of Indian students that did not have a school board having a majority of Indians, the district had to establish a separate local committee composed of parents of Indian students in the school” (Spring 122). This act is important because it has allowed Native Americans to take control of their schools by bringing in their own beliefs, philosophies, and languages.