Episode 3: 1950-1980

Abstract

This episode reviewed the history of school between the years of 1950-1980. There were many inequalities between race and ethnicity, gender, and students with special needs. Segregation was legal in the 50’s because people believed that as long as facilities were equal that it didn’t matter, but the facilities between black and white schools were anything but equal. After Brown vs. Board of Education was passed, schools began to integrate students in classes, but sports teams, proms, and student governments in the school remained segregated by color. Lyndon Johnson used to be a school teacher and he believed that an equal chance of education is equal chance of life. During his presidency he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which meant that schools may loose federal funding if they refused to integrate schools. After eight years of its implementation, 91% of black students attended integrated schools. The amount of disabled students not enrolled in school totaled 72%. The average amount of years Mexican-Americans spent in school before they dropped out was about 5 years. Students were not aloud to speak Spanish in school, and their culture was misrepresented in many textbooks. Once Mexican-American culture was accepted in schools, 68 million dollars was given to schools who taught bilingual learners. In the early 1950’s only one percent of medical and law degrees were awarded to women. There were many limits put on women in school including sports and scholarships. In 1972, Title 9 addressed discrimination on gender. Once this was enforced, courses and sports became co-ed and 42% of high school athletes were female.

Reflection

This was a really interesting time period in the history of school because so many changes occurred in the span of 30 years. I sometimes feel like this happened such a long time ago, but it really hasn’t been that long. All of my grandparents and parents have lived through the inequality and segregation. I am interested in interviewing my grandmother on this issue because she grew up in Mississippi and must have some stories about what it was like to grow up in the south. It was a time for reaching equality between race, gender, and special needs. I couldn’t imagine going to school in this time period when all of these issues going on. I am very thankful that women now have equal rights and I have just as many opportunities as men.