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Brown v. Board of Education
U.S. Supreme Court reasoned that it was unlawful to discriminate against a group of individuals for arbitrary reasons and segregated public schools were a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. This desegregation case also said that education was a fundamental function of government and should be offered to all citizens equally. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Addressed the inequality of educational opportunity for underprivileged children. Helped to ensure that disadvantaged students have access to a quality education. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
Mills v. Board of Education was a lawsuit filed against the district of Columbia. The judicial decisions included the following, all students with disabilities must be given a public education, the right to a public education that matches the needs of the children with exceptionalities, supposed absence of fiscal resources is not a reason for failing to provide students with disabilities appropriate educational services, and more. -
Rehabilitation Act Section 504
First public law specifically aimed to protect children and adults against discrimination due to a disability. No individual can be excluded from participating or benefiting from a program or activity receiving federal financial assistance solely because of their disability. -
Public Law 94-142
All handicapped children have the right to a free appropriate education. This education must be designed to meet their unique needs and to assure that children and parents/guardians are protected. Principles included are, a free appropriate public education, the least restrictive environment, an individualized education program, procedural due process, nondiscriminatory assessment, and parental participation. -
Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
First U.S. Supreme Court interpretation of Public Law 94-142. The issue of what constitutes an "appropriate" education for a student with a hearing impairment making good educational progress was addressed. This helped build debates on how to best educate children with disabilities. -
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
This enactment parallels section 504 of PL 93-112 by forbidding discrimination against people with disabilities in both public and private sectors. ADA goes beyond the traditional thinking of what is considered disabled and also recognizes people with AIDS, cosmetic disfigurements, and people who have successfully finished a substance abuse program. The impact of this enactment includes accessible busses, trains, and subways for people with disabilities and much more. -
Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
Reauthorization of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. Some elements include, resolution session required prior to due process hearing, modified criteria for identifying students with specific learning disabilities, IEP's to incorporate research- based interventions, and more. -
The Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAA)
PL 110-325 became effective on January 1, 2009. This act reworks, makes many significant changes, and gives a broader interpretation to the definition of a disability. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Seventh reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This reauthorization keeps many of the same provisions while remediating some of the perceived flaws. Some provisions include, allowing states to adopt Common Core State Standards but does not require it, eliminates the "highly qualified" teacher status, and more.
