Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, 1965)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (20 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
ESEA was a cornerstone of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” It aimed to close achievement gaps by providing federal funding to primary and secondary education, particularly for disadvantaged students.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Education was historically left to states. The Constitution does not explicitly grant federal authority over schools. ESEA marked the first major federal role in K–12 education.

4) Overreach or Proper Role?
Supporters said it promoted equal opportunity in education. Critics argue it represented federal overreach into state and local school control.

5) Who or What It Controls

• States and school districts (receive funding under “Title I”)
• Students in low-income areas (primary beneficiaries)
• Teachers and schools (federal accountability requirements tied to funding)

6) Key Sections / Citations

• Title I: Financial assistance to schools with high percentages of low-income students
• Title II: Professional development for teachers
• Title III: Language instruction for limited English proficiency students
• Title IV: Education technology and safe/drug-free schools
• Title IX: General provisions

7) Recent Changes or Live Controversies

• Reauthorized multiple times: No Child Left Behind (2001), Every Student Succeeds Act (2015)
• Current debates focus on standardized testing, state flexibility, and equity in funding

8) Official Sources

• Congress.gov – ESEA 1965
• U.S. Department of Education – ESSA (current reauthorization)
• National Archives – Education Legislation History

• Education
• Schools
• Federal Funding
• Civil Rights
• Students