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Horace Mann of Massachusetts, first state sponsored "normal school"
He led the movement to get property tax to finance public schools for all ages and classes of students to be taught together. He wanted free society teachers well trained to teach students from a variety of backgrounds (Biography, 2020). -
Watson v City of Cambridge
Allowed schools to expel "weak of mind" students as well as troublesome, odd noise sharing, and students whom lacked the ability to take physical care of themselves from public education
(Yell, 2016, p. 36). -
Beattie v Board of Education
The ruling was in-favor of excluding students with disabilities in public schools when they cause harm to the school or other pupils (Yell, 2016). Establishing this precedence in the courts continues to make life difficult for disabled people and their families. -
Brown v Board of Educaiton
No more segregation in public schools. It is good citizenship to provide education on equal terms for all students Forte, 2017). This was an opportunity for National Association for Retarded Children to be heard and start the process of integration. -
ESEA, Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This law provides resources to underprivileged students so they have access to quality education. In 1965 this law was amended to provide access to federal grants for initiation, expansion and improving programs for students with disabilities (Yell, 2016, p. 40). -
Title IX
When federal funds are used this law ensures equal access to education without discriminating based on sex (Parker, n.d.) Recognizing certain behaviors as disability harassment and shining a light to rid schools of a hostile environment. -
PARC and Mills Court Cases
PARC, Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children, v the commonwealth of Pennsylvania was about student's right because of the 14th Amendment of the US constitution and not letting the educational system delay or ignore those rights of getting free appropriate education (Yell, 2016, p. 40).
Mills case added disabilities of children to also get the same rights as mentioned in the PARC case (Yell, 2016, p. 40). These case lead to refinement, safeguards for the later developed EAHCA of 1990. -
Rehibilation Act
When a program is receiving federal funds it can not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. They must be able to participate and enjoy benefits similarly as other do (Yell, 2016). -
Education for All Handicap Children Act, (EAHCA)
All disabled children will have free and appropriate education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Handicapped students learning with their non disabled peers as much as possible. Federal control over special education. Federal funds and grants for pilot programs for children with disabilities (Yell, 2016, p. 41) -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Stemming from the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the civil rights movement this ADA law is monumental. There is to be No discrimination of people with disabilities. They are to be able to enjoy a mainstream life with purchasing power, jobs and access to governmental services (United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, n.d.). -
IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Renaming of the EAHCA and revision combining early intervention, clarifying disabilities, transition plans, and changes in language with people first student centered focus (Yell, 2016, p. 44). -
EHA name change IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Addition of Individualized Education Program (IEP) and transitional plans in which evidence-based teaching methods are implored raising the expectations of educators with demonstrable improvements for disabled children (Yell, 2016). -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Holds schools and districts accountable to teach and assist students towards measured progress in academics. They need to take data to show numerical results of improvement (Yell, 2016, p. 45). -
IDEA revision/update
Focus on even more accountability with the addition of interventions earlier and more appropriately meeting educational needs of students with disabilities of all severity. Teacher needing to be highly trained in special education (Yell, 2016) -
Every Student Succeeds Act
ESEA was formally know as the NCLB and that in combination with IDEA 2004 is intended to improve graduation rates, ensure highly qualified special education teachers have high expectations for students with disabilities. Teachers have to align goals of students with and without disabilities fairly and report progress on states and district assessments (Wright, 2020).
