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Brown vs. Board of Education
One of the greatest Supreme Court decisions of the 20th century. This case inspired education reform and formed the legal means of challenging segregation in all areas of society. This case led the way to a growing understanding that all people regardless of race, gender, or disability have a right to public education. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) signed into law
ESEA offered new grants to districts serving low-income students, federal grants for text and library books, and created special education centers. This Act became the basis upon which early special education legislation began. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act Amendments
PL 89-313. Authorized grants to state institutions and state operated schools devoted to the education of children with disabilities. The first Federal Grant Program specifically targeted for children and youth with disabilities. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Section 504
First federal Civil Rights law Section 504. Aimed at protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities (finally adopted in 1977). Covers both school-age children and adults. Protects children identified as disabled as well as students ineligible for services via IDEA, but who exhibit a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more life activity such as learning. -
The Education Amendments of 1974
PL 93-380: This amendment created two related laws. One was the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendment of 1974. This was the first to mention an appropriate education for allchildren with disabilities. The second law, the Family Education Right and Privacy Act, gave parents and students over 18 years of age the right to examine records kept in the student's personal file. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Created by President Ford, this act was designed to mandate a free appropriate education for all children with disabilities in a state. This act is now called Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). All students with disabilities must have an IEP, a free and appropriate education and be served in the least restrictive environment. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act -PL94-142
This law was created to provide an appropriate education for children with disabilities that were not receiving a proper education. This law encouraged states to create policies and practices to facilitate the needs of the students. Federal government ensured this by requiring states receiving federal funds to comply with: Zero Reject and FAPE, Non-discriminatory Identification and Evaluation, IEPs, Least Restrictive Environment, Due Process and Parental Participation. -
Handicapped Infants and Toddlers Program PL 99-457
This is part H of the IDEA. Support services to infants and toddlers from bith - two years. Children between the ages of 3 - 21 with disabilities become eligible for services from their school district. This change was implemented in all states by 1991092 school year. -
Willowbrook Officially Closes
Willowbrook was a state supported institution for children with intellectual disabilities. Willowbrook State School was in Staten Island, New York from the 1930s until 1987. The school was built for 4,000 residents and by 1965 the population was 6,000. It was the biggest state run institution for the mentally handicapped in the U.S. Conditions and medical practices and experiments prompted Senator Robert Kennedy to call it a "snake pit". -
The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1990
Renamed the law the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, it reauthorized and expanded programs, mandated transition services, defined assistive technology devices and services, and added autism and traumatic brain injury to the list of categories of children and youth eligible for special education and related services. -
Dan Marino Foundation
Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization was established. The Foundation's mission is "empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities." Funding raised has been used to perform quality of life research, build the Miami Children's Hospital and now opened the Marino Campus. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997
Reauthorization of IDEA was an opportunity to review, strengthen and improve IDEA to better educate children with disabilities and enable them to achieve a quality education. This amendment calls for students with disabilities to be included in state and district assessments. Teachers are now required to be members of the IEP team. -
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
If states are to receive federal funding for schools, they must develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades. NCLB is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Students must be assessed for academic progress and schools must be assessed and make adequate yearly progress. All teachers must be Highly Qualified to teach a given subject area. All teaching methods and practices must be proven and researched methods. -
IDEA 2004 Improvement Act
view websiteThis reinactment of IDEA defined and clarified outcomes for each child with a disability. Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) prepares the student for further education, employment, and independent living. Special education and related services should be designed to meet the unique learning needs of eligible children ages preschool - age 21. The biggest changes called for more accountability at the state and local levels, as more data is required. RTI is introduced. -
American with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008
The ADA Amendments revised the definition of "disability" to more broadly encompass impairments that substantially limit a major life activity. -
IDEA Celebrates 35 Years
click here to view a videoThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is the legislative foundation for all services that students with disabilities receive in schools today. At the 35th anniversary, this video takes a look back to what the conditions were before IDEA, and the changes that were made for students with disabilities.
