The Right to Education for All: The Value of Plyler v. Doe
In the United States, public education has long been understood as a cornerstone of our collective well-being and democracy. Schools are among the first places where children encounter community beyond their families, learn to participate in civic society, and develop the knowledge and confidence to shape their own futures. Education nurtures not only individual potential but also the health, economic stability, development, and humanity of the nation as a whole.
For many years, the United States has upheld the principle that all children residing within its borders should attend public school, regardless of their background, circumstances, or status. In the landmark Plyler v. Doe decision, issued in 1982, the Supreme Court determined that states cannot deny children access to public education based on their immigration status. What was clear then, is clear now: When any child is excluded from school, the consequences extend far beyond the individual students, affecting the health and safety of communities as a whole, and our national economic wellbeing.
Data gathered from the last four decades have shown that the societal benefits of affording education access to all children regardless of their circumstances, far outweigh the initial cost of their education. Plyler beneficiaries who are now adults contribute billions to the U.S.’ tax base, serve our country in the military, teach children in our schools, operate small businesses, treat our sick in hospitals, and care for our elderly in their communities.
This report reviews the history of Plyler, the role this ruling has played in our society, and research on the importance of maintaining access to education for all children living in the U.S. The data are clear: ensuring opportunity for all children who live within our borders lifts entire communities, and withholding opportunity for some incurs costs for all, in the long run.
Suggested Citation:
Soto-Boykin, X., Meek, S., Cardona, M., Williams, C., Powell, T., & Vázquez Baur, A. (2026, April). The Right to Education for All: The Value of Plyler v. Doe. The Children’s Equity Project at Arizona State University. https://cep.asu.edu/resources/the-right-to-education-for-all-Plyler-v-Doe.