GI Bill - 1944

Officially known as the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, the GI Bill was signed into legislation by Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide Federal Government aid for the readjustment in civilian life of returning World War II veterans. (United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 2009). According to a statement made by President Roosevelt at the signing of the bill the following benefits were bestowed upon veterans returning from World war II:

1. It gives servicemen and women the opportunity of resuming their education or technical training after discharge, or of taking a refresher or retrainer course, not only without tuition charge up to $500 per school year, but with the right to receive a monthly living allowance while pursuing their studies. 2. It makes provision for the guarantee by the Federal Government of not to exceed 50 percent of certain loans made to veterans for the purchase or construction of homes, farms, and business properties.
3. It provides for reasonable unemployment allowances payable each week up to a maximum period of one year, to those veterans who are unable to find a job.
4. It establishes improved machinery for effective job counseling for veterans and for finding jobs for returning soldiers and sailors.
5. It authorizes the construction of all necessary additional hospital facilities.
6. It strengthens the authority of the Veterans Administration to enable it to discharge its existing and added responsibilities with promptness and efficiency. (United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 2009 -
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/history.htm)

1.1 million ex-GIs enrolled in American colleges as student enrollment increased by approximately 50% in the 1950s leaving the long-standing tradition that a college education was only for the wealthy.

FDR signs G.I. Bill into Law

Truman Commission Report - 1947

With the GI Bill in full force, veterans were going to college but the higher education system struggled with handling the increase.  Truman stepped in and in the summer of 1946 came up with the Presidential Commission on Higher Education.  Headed by George F. Zook and with the help of 28 other educators, the goal was to, "reexamine our system of higher education in terms of its objectives, methods and facilities; and in the light of the social role it has to play," said Truman.  The Commission put out six volumes which were entitled:

Volume I: Establishing the Goals
Volume II: Equalizing and Expanding Individual Opportunity
Volume III: Organizing Higher Education
Volume IV: Staffing Higher Education
Volume V: Financing Higher Education
Volume VI: Resource Data

This also marked the first time that the federal government created a committee to examine the state of the United States education system (Kim, D & Rury, J, 2007)

Brown vs. Board of Education - 1954

Overturning the 1893 case of Plessy v. Ferguson which allowed separate but equal doctrine for black students, the 1954 ruling of Brown v. Board of Education ruled that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. (Supreme Court of the United States, 1954).  This renowned legal case opened up increasing educational opportunities for all students.

Department of Education Archives. (2010). Educational Segregation Map.

National Defense Education Act - 1958

Enacting the National Defense Education Act in response to the launch of the Soviet Union's 'Sputnik Satellite', the U.S. Congress hoped to ensure "the security of the nation through the fullest development of the mental skills of young men and women" (Science and Technology Policy Institute, 2005).  The legislation featured student loan programs to increase science and mathematics careers; 'National Defense Fellowships'; and programs to increase knowledge of science and technology.