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Civil Rights Act of 1866
The act declared that all persons born in the United States were now citizens. This act made it illegal to discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, or whether they were a slave. This would help in future litigation and provide remedy for those effected in the education systems. -
Plessy Vs. Ferguson
A landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court issued in 1896. It upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities as long as the segregated facilities were equal in quality – a doctrine that came to be known as "separate but equal". However, separate is not equal as we learn through out the civil rights movement. This decision would not be corrected until Brown V. Board 58 years later -
Brown Vs. Board of Education
This is a case that fought for desegregation of all public school systems in the US and separate but equal was unconstitutional. it was determined that segregation on the basis of race violated equal educational opportunity. The Brown decision led the way to a growing understanding that all people, regardless of race, gender, or disability, have a right to a public education. This case set the pace for litigation and legislation regarding students with disabilities -
Mills Vs. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
This case involved the court establishing procedures to ensure all students had equal rights. This was a procedural law that was later included in public law No.94-142. The Board of the District of Columbia denied access to education for students who were special needs. The court found that free public education services, or a suitable private alternative paid for by the board of education, must be delivered based on the students individual needs regardless of cost. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens Vs. Pennsylvania & Mills Vs. D.C. Board of Education
The federal court decided that children with mental disabilities would be provided with free and appropriate public education. These cases provided a legal standing to challenge officials denying equal opportunity. These cases brought to attention that students with disabilities should not be excluded and should have equal protection under the law. -
Section 504 of the rehabilitation Act of 1973
First disability civil rights law to be enacted in the US. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance, and set the stage for enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Signed in by President Nixon, prohibits discrimination in the workplace and schools and any entity receiving federal funding. This plan mandates individualized plans for eligible disabled students who need accommodations or modifications. -
Public Law No.94-142
The education for all handicapped children act. This law secured the basic ideals, rights, and responsibilities to ensure equal access to public education for all children who are disabled. The key element being that prior written notice be provided to the parent regarding proposes or refuses changes to identification, or placement of a child . -
The Rowley Decision
The U.S. supreme courts first interpretation of whats was then called the education for all handicapped children act, now the individuals with disabilities act "IDEA". A two part test can be implemented now when working through specific case issues. "Basic floor of responsibilities" and "Some educational benefit" -
The Americans with Disabilities Act
This law prohibits discrimination by your employer, services received by state and local governments, in places of public accommodation, transportation and telecommunications. This is key because a public school is included under this law by providing civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities and not discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, and religion. -
No Child Left Behind
The goal of no child left behind is to level the playing field in education. There are several standards such as adequate yearly progress, use of scientifically based research and teachers who are high qualified. Evaluations and minimum standards for paraprofessional. Sanctions apply to some of the above if standards are not met.
