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Brown v. Board of Education court case
This court case challenged the idea that "separate is equal" in regards to separating students who are black and white. This case also paved the way for the development of special education in the same regard. Today, students with disabilities are not required to attend separate schools in order to receive an education. Brown v. board of education (2009, Oct 27). History. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is signed into law.
This act signed by Lyndon B. Johnson, funded public education and emphasized accountability and high standards. Title funding falls under this act. The ESSA has been reauthorized many times since Johnson's presidency and still supports funding for education under a different name. As of 2015, it was reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Paul, C. A. (2016). Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Social Welfare History Project. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania court case
This case was filed to challenge the law in Pennsylvania that denied students with intellectual disabilities a free public education. The court ruled in favor of PARC and students with intellectual disabilities are now guaranteed a free and public education. The right to education. (2020). Disability justice. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://disabilityjustice.org/right-to-education/ -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and unequal treatment in federally funded institutions such as public schools. Today, Section 504 provides services to students who may not be served by Special Education. This section ensures that all students are given the support they need to be successful in school. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund. A Comparison of ADA, IDEA, and Section 504. DREDF. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA or EHA) was originally passed.
Otherwise known as PL 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act required all public schools funded by the government to provide equal access to education for students with disabilities. Today, students with disabilities are guaranteed equal access to education according to United States law. GovTrack.us. (2020). S. 6 — 94th Congress: Education For All Handicapped Children Act. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/94/s6 -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson v. Rowley court case
The case decision interpreted that Hendrick Hudson Central School District was within the law according to The Education for All Handicapped Children Act because they had created an individualized plan for the deaf student and were providing her with more services than her non-disabled peers (Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2019, p. 16-17). This law was since challenged once again and now has improved implications for students with disabilities. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is passed.
The ADA protects the rights of individuals with disabilities outside of educational settings. These rights include "protections of civil rights in the specific areas of employment, transportation, public accommodations, state and local government, and telecommunications" (Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2019, p. 14). -
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is enacted.
In an effort to improve students' academic performance, George W. Bush enacted the No Child Left Behind Act. This act began the expectation that all students would take standardized assessments and would achieve the same levels (Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2019, p. 15). This was problematic for special education because it was believed that NCLB created unreasonable expectations for students with disabilities (Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2019, p. 15). -
IDEA is reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA).
IDEA guarantees free, public education for students with disabilities, as well as outlines expectations for evaluation, identification, due process, guardian consultation, placement in the least restrictive environment, individualized learning programs and confidentiality (Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2019, p. 13-14). These are the current requirements Special Education teachers abide by to meet the needs of their students. -
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is signed into law.
The ESSA replaced the NCLB Act, subsequently requiring students with disabilities to participate in standardized assessments enforced by the Common Core Initiative (Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2019, p. 41). This has caused problems with special education because students with disabilities are being compared to students without disabilities using outcome measures (Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2019, p. 41). Due to this, testing accommodations have been enacted to align with students' IEPs. -
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District court case
This court case found that under IDEA, schools are required to provide students with disabilities an education that allows them to make progress that is appropriate for the individual. According to Hallehan, Kauffman, & Pullen, this case helped to further "clarify what the law means by “appropriate education” and “least restrictive environment (2019, p. 17).
