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Brown v. Board of Education
This supreme court case was not only significant in ending segregation in schools based upon race, but also because of its eventual ripple effect on the rights of all students regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or disability. It defined inequality as not being confined to the amount of resources, but the quality of education. Quality education would later be a fundamental value in creating IEP and other special education programs. (Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm). -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was crucial in initiating the federal government as a provider for the rights of students with diverse or underpriviledged backgrounds. ESEA established a grant program to stimulate special education programs in schools along with other provisions for students from a low socioeconomic status like free meals. This would begin the federal government's role in creating legislation to provide quality education for disabled students. (Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm). -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)
In 1973 the Vocational Rehabilitation Act stated that any public or private institution that receives any government funding cannot discriminate based soley upon disability. While this legislation does not address special education directy it does prohibit discrimination based on disability which would eventually carry into education. Additionally, the VRA creates a standard and goal for students with disabilities that they can and should be accepted into the workforce. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Much like the earlier Educational Ammendments Acts of 1974, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 sought to provide children with disabilities a free and equal education. Where the latter legislation differs is its specific provision for individualized education programs (IEPs) which are still in existence today. It also first used the phrase "least restrictive environment" as a standard for special education programs for the benefit of each indivudal student. (Vaughn, Bos). -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
In 1997, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was passed. This legislation was significant in that it put an emphasis on teachers to provide for special education needs than ever before by providing for other specilizations to participate in the special education planning, through increased parent participation, and later through student participation in statewide assessment (added in 1997 revision). (Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm). -
No Child Left Behind Act
While NCLB is primarily concerned with increasing accountability for schools to parents and the community, special education legislation has and will be impacted by it. Schools are now required to track the progress of each student more closely as well encouraged to improve upon the school's performance as a whole through standardized testing. As we will see, students with disabilites will also be watched more closely in thier progress as NCLB has increased this need for accountability. (Vaughn) -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
IDEIA is clearly a reflection of the No Child Left Behind Act in that it raised standards and increased accountability for special education. Because of IDEIA schools could no longer reject students based upon disability and declared that students with disabilities should be given a free, appropriate public education in the "least restrictive environment." It also established federal funding and the use of RTI to identify and help students earlier in their education. (Vaughn, Bos, & Schumm).
