-
The White House Conference of 1910
One of the first movements that brought about an increased attention and greater awareness to children who had disabilities. Primary focus was on children with disabilities; provided for remedial programs for them, moved their educational setting from institutions to attend public schools in segregated classrooms to meet their individual needs. -
Compulsory Education Law
This law mandated that children of certain ages were required to attend school. It was the belief that a public education would improve the literacy rate of the economically disadvantaged. -
The Council for Exceptional Children
This organization was founded by staff and students at the Teachers College at Columbia University. The primary focus was advocating and lobbying for the educational rights for children and youth with disabilities, and was instrumental in providing input in educational programming, teacher education, and policy making efforts. -
Brown V. Board of Education
A landmark court case that started off as a civil rights case addressing racial segregation in public schools. Set the stage for further court cases and actions in the civil rights movement. Had an astounding impact on educational laws and practices serving as a catalyst for change for students with disabilities to receive a fair and equal education. Led to several other court cases defending their rights. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Allocated the necessary funding to schools who had a high poverty rate at the primary and secondary levels. The purpose was to increase the academic levels of the students in order to provide them with the opportunity to escape the poverty cycle. Provided for funding to develop programs for children with disabilities. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1970
Was the first law that solely provided special education rights. Required all schools receiving federal funds to provide free and equal access to the educational system and related services to children with disabilities. Provided funding to colleges to train teachers of students with disabilities, and to develop regional resource centers to assist school districts. -
PARC v. Pennsylvania
A class action lawsuit, brought on by the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children. Argued that the state was denying young children with mental retardation a fair and equal education as compared to their peers who did not have disabilities. The outcome of the case provided for a fair and free public education for all children with mental retardation between the ages of 6 and 21. Provided for further cases regarding the educational movement for children with disabilities. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
The first federal legislation providing for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Set precedent to the term "handicapped" as a person with a mental or physical impairment that limits their daily life activities. The Section states that no "handicapped" individual will be denied rights from participating in, benefits from or discriminated against any activities by entities receiving federal funds. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
Provided federal funding for states to offer a free and equal education to children with disabilities and established rights for them to be provided in a least restrictive environment. Mandated that schools develop an IEP and to include parents in the process. Established procedures and policies for states to be held accountable for the education of children with disabilities in order to be eligible for federal funds. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Served as an amendment to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and changed its named to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Changed the term "handicapped" to the term "disability". Added autism and traumatic brain injury to the classes of disabilities. Provided for the clarification of the types of services and assistive technology that was available, and required transitional services be implemented for students over 16 who have an IEP. -
The American with Disabilities Act
A civil rights law that banned discrimination against individuals with disabilities based on their disability in any form. The extent of this law was not only based on entities that received federal funds, but to those in the private sector as well. -
No Child Left Behind Act
This law was created to hold school districts accountable for the instruction and achievement levels of students with disabilities. The law stated that all students must be brought up to state standards in reading and math to close the gap between higher and lower functioning students. It also called for students with disabilities to participate in assessments and must be included in the data for the accountability systems used to measure the school's performance. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
This law added onto the No Child Left Behind Act. Provides for increased accountability by schools to increase the performance of student at all levels, required all special education teachers to be certified, altered the IEP process, provided opportunities for more parent involvement in the special education process, and mandated students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment.