Special Education

By megantaylor19

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education
    This court case overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson case, which concluded that separate is not equal. This not only proved to be important for the issue of racism in the United States schooling systems, but also was a result in the beginnings of equity for special needs students and students in general education. This case began formations of advocacy groups supporting special needs programs in schools.

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act

    Elementary and Secondary Education Act
    Previous laws did not yet include the requirement to educate students with disabilities. The ESEA gave grants to schools that held programs to educate these students, giving some hope to the students and families affected.

  • In the Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia

    In the Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
    The students in D.C. who had disabilities, behavioral issues, etc. were categorized as "exceptional". This court ruling made it unlawful for the Board of Education of D.C. to deny these individuals a public education.

  • Section 504

    Section 504
    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects from discrimination of special needs/disabilities. Including FAPE and LRE, this was the first law that protected the educational rights of students with disabilities. Eligibility is needed from either a mental or physical condition that restricts their learning capabilities in the general education program.

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act
    EAHCA made sure that public schools were providing free, accessible education to all students ages 3-21. It also introduced and included the rights to due process, zero reject, supplemental services, and least restrictive environment.

  • Least Restrictive Environment

    Least Restrictive Environment
    LRE, linked to the EAHCA, meant that all students with disabilities on an IEP were granted the access to as many general education courses as possible. This protects the student from being alienated, so that the student can still have the opportunities for social interactions and relationships.

  • Board of Education of HHCD v. Rowley

    Board of Education of HHCD v. Rowley
    This case resulted in the design of the Rowley two-part test to determine whether FAPE was being met in accordance with the student's IEP. This protected the student from possible conflict of interest or biased responses from a teacher or student aid.

  • Handicapped Children's Protection Act

    Handicapped Children's Protection Act
    This law gave parents of students with disabilities more involvement in the development of their child's IEP. This helps the students be able to grow not only their educational goals, but their social and personal goals as well.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    Americans with Disabilities Act
    This act promises that people with special needs are given the same rights as the conventional population in school, public facilities, and work environments. The act specifically helped students with disabilities by ensuring that they were given the same rights as those students under the general education programs.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
    IDEA included 6 pillars and 4 sections that helped guide schools in building their programs to fit all students with special needs accordingly and adaptively. It included FAPE, LRE, IEP, a safeguard, evaluation, and student/parent participation. IDEA was reauthorized in December of 2004 in the areas of IEP, due process, and discipline.