Elementary and Secondary Education Act

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Public Law 89–10, of 1965, addressed issues of equal educational opportunity and was the beginning of substantial reform efforts in the succeeding years. The bedrock in President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty, ESEA extended state consideration of payments in providing state aid in the Act of September 30, 1950 (Public Law 874, 81st Congress). Title I of ESEA provided financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEA) for education of children in families of low socioeconomic situations (SES). Title II supported [Page 338]school libraries and textbook acquisition for private and public schools and funded preschool programs. Under Title III, supplementary educational centers and services received funding for support services to encourage school attendance. Title III also mandated educational programming during periods when school was not in session and provided for special educational and related services for isolated/rural areas. Title IV allocated $100 million over a 5-year period to fund educational research and training. Title V strengthened grants made under Public Law 874 to state departments, and Title VI provided definitions and limitations.

A series of amendments quickly followed. During 1965, ESEA amendments funded education of children with disabilities at state institutions and state operated schools. In 1966, Public Law 89–750 committed public schools to compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as it supported educational opportunity for children of Native American heritage and children of migrant agricultural workers. Title III of Public Law 89–750, cited as the Adult Education Act of 1966, expanded and improved basic educational programming for adults preparing for occupational training. ESEA, again amended in 1968 (Public Law 90–270), provided The Bilingual Education Act and the Education of the Handicapped Act.

On April 13, 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the 1969 ESEA amendments (Public Law 91–230). Significant changes included Title II funding for impacted area programs for refugee children and children residing in low–rent public housing. Title VI was dedicated to the education of individuals with disabilities. Title VII bolstered the Vocational Education Act of 1963. And Title VIII provided a definition of gifted and talented and established the Teacher Corps.

The Education Amendments of 1974 (Public Law 93–380) included the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1974, the first law to mention an appropriate education for all children with disabilities. Title V enacted the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, guaranteeing confidentiality in and parental access to educational records. Section 844 in Title VIII implemented provisions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded programs.

Public Law 95–561, with its 1978 ESEA amendments, was a major revamping of the original ESEA. Title I, Financial Assistance to Meet Special Educational Needs of Children, concentrated on the needs of children in low SES, children of migrant parents, Indian children, and children disabled, neglected, or delinquent. A new Title II funded a national effort in basic skills improvement. Title III provided for special projects such as the Metric Education Act of 1978. Title V provided funding to eliminate minority group isolation. Title VII became the new Bilingual Education Act. Under Title VIII, The Community Schools and Comprehensive Community Education Act of 1978 addressed school improvement. Title IX covered the Gifted and Talented Children's Education Act, the Woman's Educational Equity Act, and provided special grants for safe schools. Title XIV, the Defense Dependent's Education Act of 1978, regulated education for children of military personnel.

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