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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The ESEA contributes federal grants to state educational agencies, for low-income students to receive a quality education. This grant serves all students, including students with disabilities, and puts money towards building special education centers. The ESEA also pays for free/reduced lunches, text and library books, and scholarships. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)
The VRA prevents discrimination against people with disabilities in local, state, and private organizations (that access federal funds). This act helps people with disabilities succeed in finding employment, be involved in their community, and receive a higher education. Through the VRA, people with disabilities have access to benefits for their rights, advocacy, and protection. -
Educational Amendments Act
This act gives states federal funding towards programs for exceptional, gifted, and talented learners. It also grants the right of due process to students and families, in special education placement. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
The EAHCA requires each state to have free education for students with disabilities. This act also enforces individualized education programs (IEPs) be made for students with disabilities. -
Education of the Handicapped Act Ammendments
This act requires each state to extend the free education to students with disabilities to all students with disabilities three to five years old. It also reaches infants and toddlers with disabilities through the early intervention programs established. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
This act prompts “people-first” language and extendes special education services (such as assistive technology). It requires states to include bilingual and transition-to-employment programs for students with disabilities. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This act prevents discrimination in private sectors, for people with disabilities. It also establishes equal opportunity, for people with disabilities, in employment, transportation, accommodations, telecommunications, and public services. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
This act ensures that even if students with disabilities are expelled from school, they still receive services. It also requires a general education teacher be on an IEP team, proactive behavior management plans to be included in IEPs, and students with disabilities to take state and district-wide assessments. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
This act enforces accountability on schools, districts, and states for all students. It provides flexibility in budgets for schools using federal funds and implemented an early reading intervention. The act also allows school choice to students who attend a failing school. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
This act encourages districts to utilize the response-to-intervention model (RTI) and raises the standards for licensure in special education. It also excludes short-term objectives from IEPs for all students who take statewide achievement assessments.
