-
Period: to
Special Education in America
-
Brown V. Board of Education
In this landmark case, it was argued that segregated "schools have no place in the field of public education." This case would be the foundation towards combating discrimination in the school system with it taking nearly 20 years for this precedent to establish towards disabled children and special education. To hear more about this case, visit this informational video: Brown V. Board of Education -
PARC V. CW of Penn
This was a suit filed arguing a state law in Pennsylvania which permitted students to be excluded who had not reached the "mental age of five years" by the time they would be enrolling in 1st Grade. An attorney representing the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (P.A.R.C), used Brown V. Board of Education as citation for his class-action lawsuit filed in this case. The court would later rule in his favor stating each mentally disabled individual deserved to benefit from education. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Prohibited the discrimination of individuals based on their disability within Federal agencies as well as places of employment with federal funding. This act was critical for education because it includes impediments in walking, speaking, seeing or hearing and can allow for the inclusion of students within a classroom or learning environment. It also included accommodation plans and documentations of such. -
EAHCA
The enactment of EAHCA, or the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, would require schools to provide specialized educational services to children with a disability, Students were initially placed in "special" classrooms, which made it difficult for their difficulties to be aided, but in the 1980's "mainstreaming" began to be used more often and would allow students to be placed in the least restrictive environment for their educational growth and development -
Honig V. Doe
This was a Supreme Court case in which it was ruled that a California School Board violated the Education for All Handicapped Children Act when a student was indefinitely suspended for violent and disruptive behavior relating to his disability. A 17 year old student was being teased by peers and responded with violence and harm towards the other student. The ruling allowed for the attention and aid of emotionally disturbed students,
Honig V. Doe -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act would prohibit the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in several areas. This included areas of employment, transportation and accommodations to the public. The US Dept. of Labor and several other agencies had a major role in enforcing this act such as the U.S Dept. of Transportation. -
IDEA
This act would replace EAHCA, and initiate the goal of providing children with disabilities the same opportunities as those without. Some of examples of this includes covering several parts that include provisions of the law but also allowing for the assistance of educating students with disabilities and supporting their accompanying programs. This act would help extend students with disabilities whenever appropriate towards classrooms or environments of those without in order to add inclusion. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act was instilled to hold schools accountable for how their students would learn and achieve by adding annual testing, improvement targets, and penalties towards schools. They would help school focus on students with disabilities, those with impediments as well as those of color or poverty. This along with other acts, would allow for schools to think of students with disabilities just as much as they would any other student, -
Assistive Technology Act
A federal law that allows for individuals needing appropriate technology to do basic tasks such as work, play, and live independently as well. This act would work towards the inclusion of those with disabilities within communities and also make the necessary devices accessible as well as a legal requirement for those with disabilities. This included in participation for education, as well as in employment and in daily life. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Signed into law by President Obama, this act follows No Child Left Behind, requiring states to perform testing in reading, math and science which would assess schools based on their performance with students while still allowing for the transparency to empower parents in their child's education. This act would also take into account the average funding per student, and allow for equal opportunity for disadvantaged students including special education.