Supreme Court
Decided: May 17, 1954
In this case, the plaintiffs are arguing that by denying minors of the African American race admission to schools attended by white children they are being deprived of the equal protection laws of the Fourteenth Amendment. The plaintiffs argued that segregated public schools were not equal and could not be made equal.
The plaintiffs were African American children of elementary age living in Topeka, Kansas. At that time, there was a Kansas statute permitting, but not requiring, cities with a population of at least 15,000 to have separate schools for African American and white children. Under that statute, the Topeka Board of Education decided to have segregated elementary schools. The District Court found that segregated education was detrimental to the African American children but allowed it because of Plessy v. Ferguson, separate but equal.
The court first looked at history and the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendement. It was decided there was not enough information there to base their decision on. They also felt like the history of the Fourteenth Amendment did not aid them in making this decision due to the radically different state of public education at that time. They then looked at history in reference to Plessy v. Ferguson. This is the "separate but equal" ruling; however, it was noted that it originally applied to transportation. There had been some education cases involving Plessy v. Ferguson but none that had involved a question similar to that in Brown v. Board of Education. In one case, the courts had even questioned whether Plessy v. Ferguson should be held applicable to education. The court instead decided to examine the effects of segregation on public education. They felt that separating the children would leave them with a sense of inferiority and would in turn affect their motivation to learn. They also concluded "separate but equal" should not be applied to public education.
I agree with the court here. At one point, the court stated that education is one of the government's most important functions and some goals of that education are to provide foundations of good citizenship, cultural values, and produce a person who can adjust to their environment. Segregation silently says that one group of human beings is better than another, is not accepting of others' culture, and does not mimick the environment of society after education. It can then be conluded that segregation prevents the government from fulfilling one of its most important duties and denies a group of people their rights afforded to them under the Fourteenth Amendment.
I would say this falls under Domain 1.3, model and promote the highest standard of conduct, ethical principles, and integrity in decision-making, actions, and behaviors. Also in Domain 1.3, apply legal guidelines to protect the rights of students and staff and to improve learning opportunities. I think we as administrators and educators have to do everything we can to ensure all students receive a quality education. Even though this particular case dealt with one race, it is our duty to ensure that no student is treated with prejudice whether it be because of race, religion, or any other reason.
Hunt74
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7 comments:
kay82:
I agree with the blogger and the court. I think that the times have changed since the Plessy v. Ferguson case was handed out in 1896. Close to fifty years later, America is a different place. Why should one race be superior over another just based on the color of their skin. While many people rejected the idea, African Americans were finally able to have the quality education that they deserve.
As a school leader, it is my job to ensure that all the students are getting the quality education that they need. I need to ensure that all children are treated fairly.
SHOOTER
I will also agree with Hunt74 and the courts decision. I think people should be treated equally no matter what race they may be. I understand the transition must of been really difficult but I believe the best interest of the students were to be include with other races.
I, as a school administrator need to be aware of issues in school in which students are not being treated as equals.
sucram54:
I agree with the courts and the blogger in this case. This landmark case deeply impacted not only the schools, but also equal rights in our society as a whole. I have heard stories from my parents on how this process impacted their Texas communities
We have come along ways since this case, but as an administrator it is important to make sure that all minority groups are treated equally.
~Belle~
I have to agree with the court and th blogger. This has to be the greatest case in US history. It was one of the most significant turning points in our history. This decision brought about educational and social reform.
As an educator we should remember that all children are "eqaul" and should each be given the same opportunities to be successful in education and life.
I am in total agreement with the blogger on the Brown v. Board of Education. Segregation of schools by race, leads to the opinion that one race is better than another. Diversity is a crucial element to our American Society. This country was founded on diversity and our school system should be no different. The seperate but equal clause from the Plessy v. Ferguson case has no bearing on the Brown case do to the vast time between the two.
As a school leader it is my job to make sure that all races are afforded the same education and opportunities on my campus. I find it amazing to read that there are still some school districts here in Texas that still are under court supervison to achieve unitary status according to the Civil Rights Act and the Brown case desegregating schools.
posted by ironman25
I agree with the blogger. In this case, the issue was "separate but equal." It was clear that the value of education and the means for education were not equal. That in and of itself should have been enough. It is sad that it had to come to race. One would think that after WWII it would have brought us together instead of keeping us apart. It seems as though a value was being placed on one group and not another. I think that goes against the principles.
As a supervisor, I could use this as a foundation for trying to make sure there is consistency in the decisions I make.
I agree with the blogger and the court in that segregation appears to show one group as being inferior to another. Diversity is necessary to advance the agenda of a free and independent nation with input from the entire body politic.
Plessy v. Ferguson originally applied to transportation and was determined to not truly apply in this case. The court did te right thing and out country has benefited from it in many ways.
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