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1954 Brown v. Board of Education
1954 in the case Brown v. Board of Education in Topeka the Supreme Court ruled that segregating public schools by race was unconstitutional. Although this was mainly due to race it was established that all people deserve equal access to adequate public education. Early and Recent Foundations of Special Education. Pg. 5
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTGHLdr-iak -
The training of Professional Personnel Act of 1959
Congress passed the training of Professional Personnel Act, to support training for those who work with infant, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities and tier families.
https://congressionaldigest.com/issue/special-education-reform/special-education-milestones/#:~:text=1959%20%E2%80%94%20Congress%20passed%20the%20Training,children%20who%20were%20hearing%20impaired. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
passed in 1965 initiated the role of the federal government in protecting and providing for students from low-income backgrounds, allowing them to have equal access to public education services. This Act would provide the groundwork for which there would be many funds available today for students with special needs and provide them with federal funding. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) | U.S. Department of Education -
Pennsylvania Assocaition for Retarded Children (PARC)
The Pennsylvania case established the right of children with disabilities to a free, and appropriate public education. This challenged the idea that children with special educational needs were “uneducable.”
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/pennsylvania-association-retarded-citizens-parc-v-commonwealth-pennsylvania-1972 -
FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education
Students with disabilities have the same right to k-12 public education that students without disabilities have. Students with special needs may need special education and related services and aids. Section 504 and Title II require public schools to provide appropriate education modification aids and related accommodation services free of charge to students with disabilities and their families.
https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/FAPE-Free-Appropriate-Public-Education.pdf -
1973 The Rehabilitation Act
Rehabilitation Act made it so that individuals with special needs could not be denied public benefits from any program receiving federal funding. Federal agencies and federal contractors from discriminating against students with special needs. This is a precursor to ADA.
https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/ -
1990 ADA Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Signed into law by President George H.W Bush opposes discrimination against individuals with disabilities. This law is part of the labor law and more precisely disability law. The ADA sets laws to guarantee that people with disabilities enjoy the same guarantees as everyone else in terms of employee rights and employer responsibilities. Guide to Disability Rights Laws | ADA.gov -
IDEA 1997 1997 The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act formerly known as P.L. 94-142
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act formerly known as P.L. 94-142 or the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975) requires public schools to make available to children a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. IDEA requires public schools to develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs. https://www.naset.org/professional-resources/special-education-and-the-law/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act-of-1997-idea-97 -
IDEIA 2004
Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act Public Law. Allows for zero reject/free appropriate public education. This includes Child Find states are required to identify and track the number of students with disabilities and plan their individual educational needs. Students are to be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment or LRE. From book titled Teaching Students Who are Exceptional, Diverse, and At Risk in the General Educational Classroom Vaughn, Bos, Schumm -
ESSA Every Student Succeeds Act
Act signed in December 2015 by Barack Obama ESSA replaced No Child Left Behind NCLB Act changes include Increased accountability on school which they are required to make adequate yearly progress and School Choice. Parents whose district do not meet the state standards are free to send their students to a higher performing school, not having to be locked into a district. Teaching Students Who are Exceptional, Diverse, and At Risk in the General Educational Classroom Vaughn, Bos, Schumm