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Brown V. Board of Education
It was in this case where the Supreme Court ruled that school segregation was illegal and against the constitution. It was the first time that the federal government acknowledged that students should be treated equally without prejudice or bias. In addition, it was this ruling that paved the way for future acknowledgment of students with disabilities and played a big influence in the legislations that were passed later on for handicapped students. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (P.L.89-10)
The purpose of establishing this act was to protect and provide all students, no matter their background, with equal access to public education. This also included provisions for free and reduced lunches and additional educators in communities that were at a disadvantage. This act was especially beneficial for students who came from low-income families and could not afford high-quality education. -
Education of the Handicapped (P.L. 91-230)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, initially passed in 1965, was revised and renamed as the Education of the Handicapped Act. This revision was purposely done to support state-run programs for students with disabilities. However, it did not offer any specifics, conditions, or guidelines regarding these programs or they should be run. -
Public Law 94-142
This was originally referred to as the All Handicapped Children Act and was expanded as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It was created for the purpose of ensuring that all children with a disability received special education and related services. However, it was altered many times in the future in order to improve the act. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea35/history/index_pg10.html -
Part C of the IDEIA (early intervention services)
This referred to state-operated programs designed to specifically serve infants and toddlers, as well as their families. It addressed children who needed a specific assistant, even if their condition was still undetermined. These programs focused on incorporating goals in education, health care, and social services; to help provide resources for facilities that needed them for infants or toddlers with special needs. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
This act required that 95% of special needs students, or those who had any other disability, needed to participate in the statewide assessments. The purpose of this was to raise expectations for low-achieving students that were generated by schools and teachers. Doing this allowed for all students to be a part of every aspect of the system.
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35 years after the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed in 1975
A report was conducted 35 years after the Education for All Handicapped Children Act with the purpose of determining the status of special needs students. The report presented various ways that handicapped students are receiving the services they need. It showcased that the percentage of students with disabilities enrolled in school was doubled. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
This act was signed by President Obama for the purpose of ensuring equal opportunity for all students. It was this act that replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and improved many of its conditions. The ESSA established protection for all students, as well as promised the resources to help teachers and leaders.