What was one effect of the Brown v. Board of Education decision?

The decision in Brown v. Board of Education was pivotal in U.S. history as it declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This landmark case overturned the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson, which allowed for "separate but equal" laws. The Supreme Court found that segregation inherently created a sense of inferiority among African American children and was therefore in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The implications of this ruling extended beyond merely the context of education; it provided a strong legal foundation for the civil rights movement, galvanizing efforts to challenge and dismantle segregation in other public spheres. This decision prompted various legislative and social changes aimed at achieving more equitable treatment of all individuals, regardless of race.

In contrast to the other options, this ruling did not lead to increased funding for private schools, did not support the legality of segregation, and while it set the stage for later policies like busing to integrate schools, the case itself dealt specifically with the constitutionality of segregation rather than establishing busing protocols.