Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Exploring the Essential Primary Sources
Table of Contents
63 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
63 Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

  You don't have access to this content. Please try to log in with your institution. Sign In

Abstract

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1965. It significantly expanded the role of the federal government in American public education. It was passed as a part of Johnson's broader Great Society agenda, a set of domestic programs launched by President Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and systemic racism. The law aimed to remedy educational inequality by providing federal funding to schools serving disadvantaged students. The act was rooted in the belief that poverty and unequal access to educational resources created significant barriers to academic success for millions of children across the United States.

Contents