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Brown v. Board of Education
This case ruled that school segregation by race was not constitutional and that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities. This case paved the way for future legislation for individuals with disabilities. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This act initiated the role of the federal government in protecting and providing for students from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they would have equal access to the public education system. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)
This act defines what a handicapped person is along with what appropriate education means when it comes to them. It also prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in federally funded programs. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)
Known as the Mainstreaming Law, this act requires states to provide a free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities (ages 5-18). This act also requires the use of IEP's, and was the first to define Least Restrictive Environment. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector and protects equal opportunity to employment and public services, accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. This act also defines disability to include people with AIDS. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 101-476)
This act renames and replaces EAHCA and establishes a person first language. This law also extends special education services and extends provisions for due process and confidentiality for students and parents. This act added autism and traumatic brain injury to categories of disabilities as well. Finally the act requires bilingual education programs to be provided for students with disabilities too. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 105-17)
This act allows students with disabilities, who have been expelled, to continue to receive services. It also requires schools to assume greater responsibilitty for ensuring that students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum. The law also allows SPED teachers to assist with the GENED students when needed and requires a GENED teacher to be on an IEP team. The act requires students with diabilities to take part in statewide and districtwide assessments as well. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (PL 108-446)
This law allows districts to use the RTI model when determining if a student has a learning disability. It also increases federal funds to provide early intervention services to students who do not need special education or related services. Other things that this act does are eliminating short term objectives on IEP's and raising standards for SPED licensure.
