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Brown v. Board of Education
The supreme court ruled school segregation by race was not constitutional. This was the first time the federal government advocated for students experiencing inequality and prejudice in school. Therefore, being the landmark case of justice to be applied to individuals with disabilities as well in the future. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This initiated rights for low income families. In turn, a grant program encouraged states to create and improve programs for learning disabled students. -
Education of the Handicapped Act
This is a revision of ESEA in 1965. This continued support for state run programs for individuals with disabilities. (P.L 91-230) It did not provide any guidelines on how to develop the programs or what they should consist of. -
Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
[https://disabilityjustice.org/right-to-education/] This court case relied on Brown to argue that the exclusion violated the rights under both the Equal Protection clause and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It guaranteed children with intellectual disabilities be accommodated by provided special education services. -
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
Served as a blueprint for what later became P.L 94-142 in 1975. Similar to the PARC case, this required the state to provide “adequate alternative education services” as well as “prior hearing and periodic review of the child’s status, progress, and the adequacy of any educational alternative”. In other words, education for ALL disabilities and creating what was later known as the individualized education program (IEP). -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
(P.L 94-142) This legislation required free and appropriate public education regardless of disability. Special needs would now be identified and special education was to be provided. This is considered the "mainstreaming" law by defining the least restrictive environment. -
National Council on Disability
The National Council on Disability makes recommendations to the President and Congress on policies affecting Americans with disabilities. They acknowledge and empower individuals with disabilities, and promote equal opportunity for all including those with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RSYEVSJhIg] IDEA was an improvement and replacement to the 1975 EAHCA. This applies a linguistic change towards students whom are disabled, provides guidelines to abide by such as, zero reject, least restrictived environment (LRE), confidentiality, and parent involvement. -
No Child Left Behind
The purpose of NCLB was to provide a "framework" on how to improve performance of America's elementary and secondary schools. Also, it was intended for students not to feel trapped in a failing school. Parent with disabled children have the option to switch their school to one with higher performance records. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
The legislation was enacted to improve the 1990 Act. It was designed to ensure all children with disabilities receive appropriate education through special education and related services. Specifically, it allowed children to continue to receive services with an IFSP after age 3. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
ESSA is meant to replace NCLB. It provides additional opportunities for schools when students are not making sufficient progress. Both focus on improving educational outcomes for all students including students who have demonstrated low performance in academic areas.
