Separate but equal schools were legal before 1954, but Judge Earl Warren felt there was not a place for such a thing in the United States and ruled against segregation in the area of education on May 17.

Directions: Please read "Making Schools Equal," from The 20th Century  and then click here to read more about Brown vs. Board. After reading, complete the questions below.  After completing the questions, you will create a book appropriate for a primary student so s/he can understand the importance of this decision.  You will be assessed on content, conventions and presentation.  After completing the book, you will share your work with primary students.

Questions: (contributions from students)
1) What does segregate mean? (RL)

2) What is the 14th Amendment?(KC)

3) What kept Linda Brown from attending the school four blocks from her house?

4) What is meant by the statement, "Plessy v. Ferguson is one of the somberest chapter in the pages of American history."

5) Why do you think people wanted segregation to stop?

6) Was separate but equal ever a reality? Explain.(AC)

7) What type of cases did Thurgood Marshall specialize in?

8) Describe two of Marshall's accomplishments.

9) Who would you support if you had a choice between Thurgood Marshall or the Board of Education? Explain. (AC)

10) Did all the states immediately accept the Supreme Court's decision? (NH)