What is the significance of the Plyler v. Doe decision in education?

The Plyler v. Doe decision is significant in education because it established that states cannot deny access to free public education based on a student's immigration status. The case arose from a Texas statute that aimed to bar children who were not legally residing in the United States from attending public schools, which the Supreme Court found unconstitutional. The Court ruled that denying these children an education would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, emphasizing that education is a fundamental right necessary for societal participation and development. This ruling affirmed that all children, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to access public education without discrimination. Consequently, Plyler v. Doe has had a lasting impact on educational policy and the rights of undocumented students in the U.S.