-
Brown v. Board of Education
In this historic case, it was ruled that the "separate but equal" clause pronounced by Plessy v. Ferguson was unconstitutional. This monumental decision gave parents of children with disabilities the constitutional foundation to demand equal educational opportunities for all children, despite any disabilities they may endure. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Signed as a civil rights law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the original ESEA offered new grants to districts serving low-income students, federal grants for textbooks and library books, and funding for special education centers. Perhaps of greatest significance, the act provided federal grants to state educational agencies to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education. https://www.ed.gov/essa -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (PL 93-112)
This act states that it is illegal to deny participation in activities or programs solely because of an individual's disability. Accordingly, individuals with disabilities are guaranteed equal access to programs and services. This act is significant in that children who might not meet the stringent criteria for IDEA 2004 may still be eligible for services. http://www.projectreachonline.org/sped_laws?article_id=171 -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This act mandated all public schools to give equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities. It also required school districts to provide administrative procedures in order to allow parents of disabled children to dispute decisions made about their child's education. This case ensured that special education services are available, fair, and appropriate for children with disabilities. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/94/s6/summary -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
This case is significant in that it was the first to reach and be decided by the Supreme Court. They ruled that public schools are mandated to provide a "free appropriate public education" to all handicapped students. It also gave public schools individual discretion as to the accommodations made for their handicapped students. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1981/80-1002 -
Irving Independent School District v. Amber Tatro
In this case, it was ruled that the provision of clean intermittent cathaterization was a "related service" not not a "medical service," as this service was necessary for the student to attend school. In doing so, Congress successfully sought to make public education both accessible and meaningful to all handicapped children. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1983/83-558 -
PL 99-457: Education for All Handicapped Children Act Amendments of 1986
These amendments allocated federal funds for states to develop plans and programs for children and their families from birth on. The original 1975 Act excluded younger children, but it became increasingly evident that early intervention was critical for children with disabilities. As a result, these amendments were made and the title of the act was changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022347688805651 -
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
This act extends civil rights to persons with disabilities, guaranteed despite race, color, national origin, render, or religion. The law makes it clear that American society is determined that children with disabilities will have equal access to educational resources and cannot be discriminated against solely on the basis of their disabilities. https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview -
No Child Left Behind Act
The NCLB Act requires schools to present test data in order to "prove" their effectiveness. This causes problems for disabled children who have difficulty gaining a year academically for every year spent in the classroom. It also creates a different problem for students with special gifts and talents, as these tests create no challenge for them. Both of these issues made it clear that reform was needed to create more fair and accurate assessment measures. https://www.ed.gov/essa -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)
As the reauthorization of the original 94-142 Act, IDEA 2004 consists of several modifications designed to improve earlier visions of the Act. Some significant changes include: special education specialists are required to be licensed and certified, IEPs are required to reflect scientifically-based instructional practices, and transition plans are required in all IEPs for students at age 16. https://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/law.htm -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESCA)
Signed by President Obama in 2015, this act is the reauthorization of the 1965 ESEA act. Most significant components: it requires ALL students to be taught to high standards that will prepare them for college and careers, ensures vital information is provided to educators and parents through state-mandated annual assessments, and states that action will be made to effect positive change in our lowest-performing schools. https://www.ed.gov/essa -