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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. BOE was a case originally brought by the Topeka NAACP against the Topeka BOE in a effort to desegregate the city's public elementary schools. Black children were being bussed across long distances because the schools in their neighborhoods were 'white-only' schools. The Supreme Court ruled that separate educational facilities were inherently unequal and that laws provided for such would violate the 14th amendment. Brown v. BOE Summary -
P.A.R.C v. Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over a law being used by public schools to deny education to children with intellectual disabilities. PARC represented 13 families in the case, all of whom claimed that their children were being denied an education that they would benefit from. The U.S. District court ruled that the PA law was unconstitutional and that all children, regardless of disability, were entitled to a free public education. -
Mills v. Board of Education
In this case, the Board of Education of D.C. argued that it could not afford to provide a public education to disabled students. Courts ruled that students with disabilities must be given a public education regardless of their ability to pay for it. In the case of lack of funds, such burden was not allowed to fall more heavily on students with disabilities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHC/EHA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Gerald Ford. The act stipulated that any state receiving Federal education funds was required to ensure that a free public education was available to all handicapped children. Additionally, the act also set forth the requirement that all handicapped children had the right to an individualized education program, as well as a process by which families would be able to file disputes. -
Board of Education. v. Rowley
Amy Rowley was a hearing-impaired student. Amy's school contended that she did not need a sign language interpreter and thus refused to provide one. Amy's parents sued, stating that the school was in violation of the EHA. In this case, the Supreme Court determined what was meant by "free appropriate public education": not necessarily to provide for each child's fullest potential, but simply to provide access. BOE v. Rowley Summary -
Hoenig v. Doe
Student, John Doe, whose disability caused him difficulty with controlling his impulses, was suspended and threatened with expulsion from his school after a behavioral incident. Believing the disciplinary actions of the school to be in violation of the EHA, Doe sued school officials. Courts upheld the 'stay-put' provision of the EHA, and established that a student with a disability cannot be removed for more than 10 days. Hoenig v. Doe Summary -
Timothy W. v. Rochester
In this case, the courts confirmed that even children with severe disabilities were entitled to services under the EHA. In essence, no child can be denied a public education; "zero-reject". -
Americans With Disabilities Act
Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services. The ADA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees as well requiring public facilities to make themselves accessible to people with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, IDEA is legislation meant to ensure that students with a disability have access to free appropriate public education (FAPE). Previously known as EHA, the US Congress reauthorized the act, and renamed it to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990. The primary purposed of IDEA is to provide equal access to public education to children with disabilities.