Segregation in Education Court Cases

1954: Brown v. Board

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson

“Separate but equal” inherently unequal (under 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause)

1955: Brown II

Ordered public schools to desegregate “with all deliberate speed”

Lack methods for enforcement, allowing for resistance and resulting in delays

1958: Cooper v. Aaron

Reinforced that states must comply with federal rulings on desegregation

Rejected Arkansas’ attempt to delay

1964: Griffin v. School Board of Prince Edward County

Ruled closing public schools to avoid desegregation was unconstitutional

Forced VA to reopen schools for Black students

1968: Green v. County School Board of New Kent County 

Struck down “freedom of choice” plans that allowed schools to remain segregated

Required districts to take affirmative steps to integrate schools

1971: Swann v. Mecklenburg

Upheld busing as a valid tool for achieving school desegregation

Led to widespread use of busing to integrate schools

1974: Milliken v. Bradley

Ruled suburban districts couldn’t be forced to integrate with urban districts, unless intentional segregation was proven

Limited desegregation efforts

1978: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

Addressed affirmative action rather than segregation

Ruled racial quotas in college admissions were unconstitutional

However factoring race to achieve diversity was legal (upheld use of race in decisions)