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.