How much progress has been achieved in securing equality for all Americans since the 1960s?

It's hard to quantify progress, but America
has definitely moved in the right direction since the 1960s.

Brown vs. Board
of Education was a landmark Supreme Court decision which called for the desegregation of all
schools in the United States in 1954. Unfortunately, the decision gave no strict timeline, so
the 1960s saw some efforts toward integration and areas of strong resistance. It is a common
misconception that this decision provided one sweeping cure for integration in public schools,
but lots of work had to be done all over the country to make that decision a reality. In fact,
one district in Mississippi didn't integrate for another 50 years. Today schools aren't
segregated by governmental policies but are still segregated because of housing availability and
opportunities. Full integration in education would also require housing integration, so there is
work yet to be done and progress yet to be made.

The 1960s saw increased
efforts to improve educational opportunities for special education students. In 1975, children
with disabilities were given the assurance of a free, public education, and IDEA in 1997
established Individualized Educational Plans for these students. Students who require special
services to receive an appropriate education have greatly benefited from these changes in
society. As we educate more of these students in ways that prove meaningful and beneficial to
their own goals and abilities, there is still a need to reshape our communities to provide
worthwhile employment opportunities for these students and to validate those educational efforts
they have made.

Title IX was passed in 1972 and states that educational
programs cannot discriminate on the basis of sex. This opened up the doors for many female
athletes whose programs were often cut as money was appropriated for their male counterparts,
often not leaving enough money in the budget for women's athletics. In 1972, just 1 in 27 girls
in high school played sports. Today, about 2 out of 5 do.

Social reform is
often reflected in educational policies, and there have been positive shifts to allow more
opportunities for all people, regardless of differences. There is a continuous need for further
progress as Americans listen to those who feel marginalized speak up about their experiences and
the need for change.