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14th Amendment (Constitutional Law)
Although the 14th amendment does not explicitly discuss education, it states that no state is capable of depriving anyone protection of the laws. The opens interpretation that a state cannot deny an education to anyone, no matter their race, gender, or disability. U.S. Const. amend. XIV. (1868). -
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
This landmark Supreme Court case was the first to determine educational equality for African American students. It piloted the way for parents with disabilities to use their voice for educational equality for a child with a disability. Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U. S. 483 (1954) -
Mills. v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
This Supreme Court case argued that the District of Columbia must provide public education to all students, whether they can afford it or not. Children were being denied an education due to behavioral issues, as well as having their natural rights of education taken away. Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia, 348 F. Supp. 866 (D.D.C. 1972). -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Administrative Law)
Section 504, covered by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) covers students who have a disability that do not qualify for special education services. Disabilities that may hinder their learning, such as a peanut allergy or ADD/ADHD fall under Section 504. Section 504 provides an opportunity to implement accommodations in the classroom for those students. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 34 C.F.R. Part 104. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Statutory Law)
This law requires public schools who receive federal funding to provide equal educational opportunities to all students with mental or physical disabilities. This law also initiated that school districts provide policies for parents of disabled children could be directly connected with educational decisions made for their child. Education for All Handicapped Children Act, Pub. L. No. 94-142, 94th Cong. (1975) -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley (1982)
This landmark Supreme Court case was first case to include a special education situation. Amy Rowley, a deaf student, was denied a sign language interpreter by her school. The ruling decided that an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must be created reasonably to provide the best education for each student, but the school is not mandated to provide every necessary service. Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982). -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (Statutory Law)
This act reenacted statutes from the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975), by implementing four components within the act. The for sections include general law guidelines, assistance for all children with disabilities, services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, and federal support systems for families. Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1990. Pub. L. 101-476, 101st Cong. -
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Administrative Law)
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. It protects discrimination against people with disabilities, as well as providing opportunities to partake in everyday life, such as employment. ADA defined those to be protected by having a mental or physical disability that hinders theme from at least one major life activity. Americans with Disability Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-336, 101st Cong. (1990) -
No Child Left Behind (Statutory Law)
Reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) created Title 1 guidelines to include students with disadvantages. It encouraged states to implement more annual assessments to all students in a select group of grade levels. The states were able to create their own standards and teacher qualifications. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Pub. L. 107-110, 109th Cong. (2001). -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (Statutory Law)
The updated version of the IDEA (1990) made changes considering the IEP process, due process, and student discipline. Response to Intervention (RTI) is one example of changes implemented due to IDEA 2004 to meet students needs. Without all the court cases and laws implemented, students would not be provided a FAPE and be included within a general education class. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Pub. L. 108-446, 108th Cong. (2004).