Why has the federal government played an ever-expanding role in our educational system? What controversial political and social issues led to the enactment of landmark education laws by the U.S. Congress? Have you considered the impact of some of the most important federal education laws--the G.I. Bill of Rights, college loan programs, funding of black colleges, school lunch programs, creation of Head Start, special education programs, bilingual education, and equal funding for girls' athletics? This unique reference work provides an explanation and discussion of each landmark law followed by the actual text of key passages of the law, which have been carefully edited for students. Nineteen landmark laws are covered, from the Land Ordinance of 1785, which set aside land in the western territories for the creation of schools, to Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Bill Clinton's ambitious agenda for student education by the year 2000.

The entry on each landmark law consists of the following sections: a discussion of the intent and purpose of the legislation; a summary of the substance of the law, including an explanation of difficult-to-understand terms and concepts; an examination of the politics and legislative history of the act; a summary of the impact of the law; the actual text of key passages of the law. The laws are organized chronologically. An introductory overview of the federal government's role in education, followed by a detailed timeline of milestones in the history of U.S. education, places the topic in historical context.