Which legislation was pivotal in ending segregation in public schools?

The pivotal legislation in ending segregation in public schools is often considered to be the decision made in Brown v. Board of Education. This landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, effectively overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. The case highlighted that separate educational facilities were inherently unequal and, as a result, mandated the desegregation of public schools across the United States.

While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was crucial in addressing various forms of discrimination and promoting equality in many areas including employment and public accommodations, it did not specifically target educational institutions or directly result in the desegregation of schools. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 focused primarily on eliminating barriers to voting for African Americans rather than directly addressing school segregation. The Equal Education Opportunity Act aimed to ensure equal educational opportunities, but it followed the significant legal precedents set by Brown v. Board of Education.

Understanding the context of these various laws and cases clarifies why the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education is recognized as the critical turning point for ending segregation in public education.