Race & Ethnicity - MD

How do race, ethnicity, and language influence theory, practice, and policy in education?

 Race and ethnicity have long played a part in educations theories, practices and policies in the US.  Dating back to the 1950's the Supreme Court was making a ruling that would shape an idea which civil rights activists would use until this very day.  Left with the supreme court ruling that "separate but equal" was constitutional, civil rights activists of the 1950's were facing a difficult barrier to overcome.  There was great political debate during this time involving the system of education due to the fact that schools were segregated to an extreme degree, for example schools were created for different races, along with water fountains and bathrooms, etc.  Once we see the supreme court Brown Vs. Board of Education we begin to see radical changes to both education policies, practices and societal practices and policies.  It was in this landmark case that the Supreme Court ruled that "separate is not equal" and education began to accommodate, tolerate, and eventually accept all races and any ethnicity. 
It is also apparent now more than ever that different languages are being incorporated into the public education system.  Schools far and wide are now offering different language services for students who speak  languages other than English.  ESL programs are popular for those students that are learning how to speak  English along with going to school (these programs are found in more students at the primary education level). 

-MD