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Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Issue: Segregation of African American children in public schools.
Supreme Court Decision: Segregation is unconstitutional as it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Impact: Set a precedent for inclusive education, affirming the right to equal educational opportunities for all students (McBride, 2007) -
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Enacted: 1975 (as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), renamed IDEA in 1990.
Description: Guarantees children with disabilities a Free Appropriate Public Education tailored to their individual needs.
Impact: Regulates special education and related services, supporting students with disabilities to succeed in school. (Turnbull, 2005) -
Board of Education v. Rowley (1982)
Board of Education v. Rowley (1982) Issue: Whether a deaf student was entitled to a sign language interpreter under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act.
Supreme Court Decision: Schools must provide opportunities that are “appropriately ambitious,” not necessarily the “best” education.
Impact: Defined the standard of “Free Appropriate Public Education” (FAPE) under what is now known as the IDEA. (Yell, 1989) -
Honig v. Doe (1988)
Honig v. Doe (1988) Issue: The expulsion of students with emotional disturbances.
Supreme Court Decision: Schools cannot expel students for behaviors related to their disabilities.
Impact: Reinforced the education rights of students with disabilities, ensuring they receive education regardless of behavior related to their disability. (Turnbull, 2005) -
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990)
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990) Description: A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Impact: Expanded protection and accessibility, ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for students with disabilities. (Blanck, 2023) -
References
McLeskey, J., Rosenberg, M. S., & Westling, D. L. (2018). Inclusion: Effective practices for all students (3rd ed.). Pearson McBride, A. (2007). Landmark cases: Brown v. Board of Education. Educational Broadcasting Corporation. Links to an external site.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html -
References
Yell, M. L. (1989). Honig v. Doe: The Suspension and Expulsion of Handicapped Students. Exceptional Children, 56(1), 60-69. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440298905600109 Turnbull, H. R. (2005). Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization: Accountability and Personal Responsibility. Remedial and Special Education, 26(6), 320-326. https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325050260060201 -
references
Crockett, J. B. (2014). Reflections on the concept of the least restrictive environment in special educatioLinks to an external site.n. In T. J. Landrum, B. G. Cook, & M. G. Tankersley (Eds.), Special education past, present, and future: Perspectives from the field (Vol. 27, pp. 39–62). Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0735-004X20140000027004 -
References
U.S. Department of Education. (2010, November 22). Celebrating 35 Years of IDEALinks to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUn6luZQaXE FORTE LAW GROUP. (n.d.). History of Special Education: Important Landmark Cases. https://www.fortelawgroup.com/history-special-education-important-landmark-cases/ -
References
Blanck, P. (2023). On the Importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act at 30. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 34(3), 176-198. https://doi.org/10.1177/10442073211036900