-
Compulsory Education Laws in place in all states
Special education has been a long fought battle over the decades. Students with disabilities have always had to fight for a well deserved education. It is astonishing to note that, "education is not mentioned in the constitution", and that education is an individual states responsibility. It took until 1918 for all states to pass a compulsory education law. However, even then, students with disabilities were frequently unable to attend public schools. (Yells. pg 36) -
Brown V. Board of Education
The Brown V. Board of Education case which prohibited segregation in education based on race, sparked for the civil right movement and education law. "Segregation solely on the basis of race violated equal protections and denied those children equal education opportunities" (yells. pg 38). This paved the way for those who were fighting legally for equal education for students with disabilities. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
As a result on the war on poverty federal funding was provided to assist states in educating students. This act was the first in funding education for a specific group of students. The main reason for this act was to assist schools in improving education for those with disabilities. -
Amendments to the ESEA, Title VI
Federal funding was given for states to grow programs for students with disabilities. -
Education of the Handicapped Act
This law is known for setting the frame work for future cases and laws to follow in special education. This law expanded state grant programs for children with disabilities. This proved to be important because it was the first "free standing" law in special education, mandated that students with disabilities should be educated, and that special education should be receiving the services that they need to grow. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
During this case it was decided that all children with "mental retardation" between the ages of 6-21 must be provided a free public education (Yells. pg 40). The goal was to teach students with disabilities in a style that was like those who do not have a disability (inclusion). -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
Shortly after the PARC case, a situation was brought to court where 7 students of various disabilities were put together in a room and considered a class. The court saw this as an example of segregating a group of students from education based on their disabilities. Therefore, the Mills V. Board of Education case was led to mandate that students with disabilities should have a publicly supported education. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
After the Mills V. Board case, section 504 was created to ensure all students with disabilities could not be discriminated against in programs that receive federal funding. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
When the EAHCA act was passed it proved to be a huge movement in the right direction for special education. Under this act federal funding was given to states that agree to teach eligible students with disabilities. Under this act students with disabilities have a right to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, and with that an individual education plan would be develop for each specific student. -
The Handicapped Children's Protection Act
This act allowed for families to receive money back due to attorney fees if it withstands in a due process or court hearing. Within this same year, the Eduction of the Handicapped Amendment was passed. One of the biggest things about this amendment passing was that EAHCA's part B programs were accepting 3-5 year old children. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The EAHCA was renamed the individuals with Disabilities Education Act. With the change of name, a few things in the act were modified such as, traumatic brain injury and autism being added under IDEA. In addition, students who are 16 years or older must go through a required transition for an IEP. The language used was changed to "people first" language. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments
With this amendment a few things about creating an IEP changed. Such as the contents and team. Parents got the opportunity to receive mediation before due process hearing, and the structure of IDEA as a whole was reformatted, -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
This act proved to be crucial in setting in place positive changes in special education because within this act, if a teacher is educating a class of students with disabilities, that teacher must be certified in special education and have high achieving teaching credentials. In addition, more responsibility and accountability is being placed on the students to achieve academically.