Progress in education, 1954-60
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the extent of change in education in the 1950s, and how some people opposed these changes.
Key learning points
- By 1950s, many schools across the US were still segregated, especially in the South.
- As a result of the Brown v. Topeka ruling, schools began to desegregate - although this was slow across the south.
- Some powerful local figures tried to oppose the desegregation of schools, particularly in the south.
- Although Eisenhower was reluctant, the federal government was pressured to enforce desegregation.
Keywords
Federal - a federal government is a system of government where there is one central government that controls a collection of smaller state governments
Desegregation - desegregation is when segregation is ended
Unconstitutional - something is unconstitutional when it breaks the terms of a country's constitution, especially when it violates the rights given to individuals by the constitution
School board - a school board is a group of individuals responsible for making decisions about schools in the local area
Common misconception
When the Supreme Court ordered all schools to desegregate, they were quick to follow this instruction because it came from the Supreme Court.
Although the Supreme Court was the highest court in the USA, many schools were slow to desegregate and some refused to desegregate until they were eventually forced.
Teacher tip
Emphasise to students that the Brown v Topeka case and the actions of the Little Rock Nine were important moment of success, but encourage them to consider why most still felt more work needed to be done to achieve equality.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following activists helped to found the NAACP?
Q2.Match the words with their definitions.
when different groups of people are forcefully kept separate or apart
to have political and social freedom and equality
to kill someone for an offence without a trial
Q3.Which of the following correctly describes the impact of the Jim Crow laws?
Q4.Who was the President of the USA in both 1954 and 1957?
Q5.What did Plessy v Ferguson rule?
Q6.How did the NAACP challenge segregation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their definitions.
is when segregation is ended
breaks the terms of a country’s constitution
a group responsible for making decisions about schools locally
Q2.Which civil rights organisation was involved in Brown v Topeka?
Q3.Which of the following statements correctly describes the outcome of Brown v Topeka?
Q4.Which student turned up at Little Rock alone?
Q5.Which troops were sent in to escort and protect the Little Rock Nine?
Q6.Which of the following statements correctly explain the impact of Eisenhower's enforcing of desegregation after the events at Little Rock?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Progress in education, 1954-60, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Progress in education, 1954-60, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.