Special Education Law Digital Time Line

  • Elementary and Secondary Act Amendments of 1965

    Elementary and Secondary Act Amendments of 1965
    P.L. 89-10. This law provided an entire for addressing inequality of educational opportunities for economic underprivileged children. Financial assistance was provided for the education of children with families who had low incomes.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_and_Secondary_Education_Act
  • Mills v. District of Columbia Board of Education

    Mills v. District of Columbia Board of Education
    In this case, there were several children with a variety of mental and behavioral disabilities and the district violated their right to public education. The court stated that they failed to meet its mandate and cannot be excused by their financial situation. The court made it so that no child was denied their opportunity to benefit from a public school education.
    http://usedulaw.com/438-mills-v-board-of-education-of-the-district-of-columbia.html
  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    A federal law that states that anyone who receives federal financial assistance can not deny services to individuals with disabilities. It also concentrates on the rights and protection of individuals with disabilities.
    https://www.nad.org/resources/civil-rights-laws/rehabilitation-act-of-1973/
  • The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

    The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
    This law protects the privacy of a students school records. It allows parents to have the right to review any information collected, maintained, or used by a school district regarding their child. These rights transfer to the student when they reach the age of 18. It also allows parents or eligible students the right to correct records that they may believe to be inaccurate.
    https://ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html
  • The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act

    The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
    This Bill of Rights Acts plan was to place students with disabilities in the appropriate setting which was the least restrictive environment. Here, they could reach their full developmental potential. It also had to provide appropriate services relating to their family and health. Public funds had to meet the standards.
    http://mn.gov/mnddc/dd_act/timeline/dd_act_timeline2.html
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education
    The outcome of this U.S. Supreme Court Case was one of the biggest changes made in history. Racial segregation in public schools violated equal educational opportunities. Oliver Brown's case helped people understand that no matter what race, gender, or disability people may have, they have the right to public education.
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html
  • The Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
    Schools that receive federal funds must provide children who are handicapped, an individual with a physical or mental disability, with one free meal and access to an education. The lesson plans must be similar to the ones made for students who are not handicapped. This act also allowed parents to be involved in case they think that their child is not receiving a fair education.
    http://www.specialednews.com/special-education-dictionary/eha---education-for-all-handicapped-children-act.htm
  • Howard S. v. Friendswood Independent School District

    Howard S. v. Friendswood Independent School District
    This was the first lawsuit under Section 504, were discrimination upon disability is illegal. The plaintiff was a student with learning disabilities and was denied accommodations and discriminated against. Because the district did not follow Section 504, they were forced to provide student with behavioral programming and pay for private school.
    http://timerime.com/en/event/3436270/Howard+S+V+Friendswood+Independent+School/
  • Larry P. v. Wilson Riles

    Larry P. v. Wilson Riles
    At San Francisco School Unified School District, students who had difficulties with their academic work were tested using an IQ test. The score they received determined whether or not they would be placed in special education. Disproportionate placement was shown because the school had only 9% of African American students and the special education class held 27% of them. This lawsuit resulted in the court agreeing that the IQ test was discriminatory.
    https://infogr.am/Larry-p-vs-riles-1979
  • Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley

    Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
    Amy Rowley was a student who was deaf and she was denied a sign language interpreter by Furnace Woods School. Amy was able to read lips and had minimal residual hearing so the school thought she was able to succeed without a sign language interpreter. However, Amy's parents believed the school was in violation of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. The Rowley's won their case.
    https://www.oyez.org/cases/1981/80-1002
  • Daniel R.R. v State Board of Education

    Daniel R.R. v State Board of Education
    This case included a student, Daniel, who had down syndrome. His parents believed that a local school district violated the Education for the Handicapped Act. They wanted their child to be a part of the classroom with non-handicapped students but it was denied because of Daniels disability. They felt that because of his developmental delay, he would not benefit from a general education classroom.
    http://www.kidstogether.org/right-ed_files/daniel.htm
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
    This law was originally known as Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Each child will have a plan using an individualized education program (IEP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP). It also states the children with disabilities must be included in a general education classroom, unless the severity of the disability cannot allow the student to achieve in this setting.
    https://www.education.com/reference/article/individuals-disabilities-education-act/
  • Doe v. Withers

    Doe v. Withers
    This was the first special education trial where a regular education history teacher, Mr. Withers, at Grafton High School refused to accommodate a student and follow his IEP. The superintendent, school principal, special education director, and special education teacher instructed him to do so. The jury found favor in the parents and awarded them money for compensatory damages and punitive damages.
    https://sped637-su2011.wikispaces.com/Doe+vs.+Withers+1993
  • Oberti v. Board of Education of Clementon School District

    Oberti v. Board of Education of Clementon School District
    This case was about a family who had a child, Rafael, with down syndrome and they tried to get him placed in a regular classroom with supports as needed. The outcome of this case was that integration was favored. The goal was to have Rafael be involved with his peers in a general education classroom, the least restrictive environment.
    http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/801/1392/1945004/
  • The President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education (PCESE)

    The President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education (PCESE)
    President George W. Bush created this commission to collect issues relating to federal, state, and local special education programs in order to improve the educational performance of students with disabilities.
    http://www.ldonline.org/article/6364/
  • No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
    This act is the reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. NCLB act requires states that receive federal funding to develop assessments in reading and math to be given to all students in grades 3-8. Each state sets their own individual standards. The main goal is to provide all children with a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.
    http://www.k12.wa.us/esea/NCLB.aspx
  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004
    This law allowed children with disabilities to have access to a free appropriate public education with the assistance of services that meet their individual needs. It resulted in giving children with disabilities the opportunity to receive early intervention services that will help them with access to the public school curriculum. Parents can request an assessment for an IEP as well.
    http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/special-education-laws/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act-idea/
  • Schaffer v. Weast

    Schaffer v. Weast
    An 8th grade student, Brian Schaffer, had a disability and was given an IEP. The parents were unhappy and did not agree with his IEP. The results of this case were that whomever is seeking relief, the IDEA law will place the burden of proof on them.
    https://prezi.com/1ke6cimcm6v3/special-ed-schaffer-v-weast/
  • More Assistive Technology for Special Education Students

    More Assistive Technology for Special Education Students
    In this time, technology has become a huge part of society. It has become beneficial to us in so many ways, especially individuals with disabilities. These devices and services have modified the environment and learning material in classrooms today. They have helped students become successful in school. Assistive technology could be as simple as a pencil grip or seat cushion.
    https://www.ldatschool.ca/technology/assistive-technology/