The reason I ranked this act as number one on my list is because it is the commencement of public education in the United States. Although it was not focused on perusing intellect, this created a pathway for young children to search for an education and pursue a different path from what they’re parents had originally created. This law helped a few generations of children to become literate and in return, contribute to stabilizing the American society with the knowledge they gained through their studies. 

 

 

The importance behind this court case and the reason why I decided to put it as number two, is because it commenced an uprising that would lead to desegregation in public school, with the Brown Case, and later in public spaces. Granted, the court case ruled against Plessy and brought upon “separate but equal” spaces, which we know were nowhere close to being equal, but began a revolution for equality. 

 

 

The reason I decided to set this case as third is not because it is not as important as the other two but because this case was a result of the previous two. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka resulted in the desegregation of public schools and began paving the pathway for an equal education among races. It was not an easy road traveled but it proved to be successful. The desegregation of public schools was an enormous piece in the battle for civil rights. 

 

 

The Kalamazoo Case is an important court decision because it allowed public schools to remain being funded by local taxes. With the extra funds that were being invested into public schools, children would be able to continue their education into a secondary school without having to pay extra for private schooling. Also, since the rate of high schools increased in the region, less populates areas (schools with less than 200 children) could supply adolescents with an education without having them travel far. 

 

 

Although this program didn’t prove to be successful, I decided to choose it as fifth because it made the public realize what does not work to determine a child’s potential. Standardized tests are not the best way to test a child’s intelligence or a teacher’s knowledge and capability of teaching a subject. There are several factors that contribute to the test results and in many cases, there not taken into consideration. Not all schools have access to the same resources. Also, many students who live in less privileged areas and don’t have the same luxuries as some of their peers whose parents are more financially stable. This program has paved the path for a new reform, ESSA, that could improve the education system for many underprivileged youths.