Education and Equality in the Courts
Overview
Students analyze primary sources related to equality in education in the United States. In Part I, students analyze two sets of primary sources that illustrate major transformations in American public education following both the Mendez v. Westminster (1947) federal case and the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Supreme Court case. In Part II, students participate in a moot court activity about expanding equality for undocumented immigrant and legal-resident or citizen students in the historic Supreme Court case of Plyler v. Doe (1982). Students then write their answers to questions about the role of equality in public education.
Related Resources
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Mendez v. Westminster (1947)
Federal Court Decision -
School Desegregation for All Children – The Legacy of Méndez v. Westminster
In Custodia Legis blog post -
Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Mendez v. Westminster Decision
H.Res.721 110th Congress (2007-2008) -
Before Brown v. Board of Education There Was Méndez v. Westminster
In Custodia Legis blog post -
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Supreme Court Decision -
Plyler v. Doe (1982)
Supreme Court Decision
Grade
Middle School
Subjects
Civics, Social Studies
Length
80-120 minutes
Topics
14th amendment, Brown v. Board of Education, court cases, education, equal rights, equality, Mendez v. Westminster, mexican, plyler v. doe, public education, supreme court, undocumented students