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Brown vs. Board of Education
A landmark decision in the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in schools was not constitutional. This decision was reached because of the implication that “separate but equal” facilities were inherently unequal. This became the basis for many court cases and laws. -
PARC vs. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) filed a class action lawsuit after children in Pennsylvania were denied public education sue to their intellectuial disabilities. After the case's decision, students who had intellectual disabilities are required to be educated preferably in the setting of their peers if possible. Read more here: https://disabilityjustice.org/right-to-education/ -
Mills vs. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
After the PARC v. Pennsylvania decision children with disabilities that were not intellectual were still being denied schooling. This occurred until in 1972 when a case brought on behalf of these students was brought before the Supreme Court, the Court’s decision also required the education of students who had emotional, behavioral, and physical disabilities. -
Public Law 94 - 142
This amendment to the earlier passed 1970 Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) guarantees that all children with disabilities will have access to what is called a “Free and Appropriate Education” from the age of 3 until they turn 21. This was a landmark case for students with disabilities, guaranteeing them an education. This law was later expanded upon and ultimately replaced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. -
Honing vs. Doe
This case was brought to the Supreme Court after a California. school punished a student for behavior related to their disability. It was ruled that students cannot be punished for behaviors related to their disabilities. This requires teachers and school administrators to see disability-related behaviors as just behaviors and not problems to be dealt with. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a piece of legislation designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities and their families. IDEA seeks to ensure that these students are treated fairly and like regular students as much as possible. The importance of parental involvement and opinion in what happens with students in the school setting is emphasized. Watch a video about IDEA here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66g6TbJbs2g -
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) protects the rights of individuals with disabilities. This law makes it illegal and a civil rights violation to discriminate against a person with disabilities in things like schooling or housing. A major focus of this law is ensuring that people with disabilities are able to participate in the mainstream activities of life. -
Cedar Rapids vs. Garret F.
This court case was brought before the court on behalf of Garret F., a student who needed medical assistance and education to attend school. The court ruled that the school will bear the financial responsibility of the cost of medical services for students with disabilities who need them. This case was brought under the Individuals with Education Disabilities Act. -
No Child Left Behind
The No Child Left Behind Act was a piece of legislation designed to ensure that achievement gaps in education were being closed. The act also says that students with disabilities should be accommodated in standardized testing to ensure fairness compared to the rest of their peers. This levels the playing field somewhat. -
Winkleman vs. Parma City School District
This case was landmark in ensuring parental involvement in the care for and education of students with disabilities. The case decided that parents had every right to see the records for their child and bring any disputes regarding their child to court. Thus requiring school districts to work in tandem with parents for the success of the child.
