MCAP Social Studies Grade 8 Practice Test

Brown v. Board of Education is the case that led to desegregation in schools. It ruled that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional because it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, and it stated that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. This decision overturned the idea that separating students by race could be legal as long as facilities were “equal,” and it mandated that schools begin desegregation. The other cases address different issues or contexts. One arose from the history of slavery and citizenship and did not focus on education or desegregation. Another case deals with abortion rights. The remaining case previously upheld segregation under a “separate but equal” standard and was overturned by Brown in the education context.