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Public Law 85-926
This law passed in 1958 authorized funds for professional staff to train teachers of children with mental retardation. -
Public Law 87-276
This law authorized funds for professional staff to train teachers of children with deafness. -
Public Law 94-142 FEPA
Congress passed the first federal special education law. That law, called the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) or Public Law 94-142, established the right of school-aged students with disabilities to receive what Congress called a “free appropriate public education” or, as it’s known, FAPE -
Public Law 94-142 IDEA
To assure all handicapped children have available to them.. a free appropriate public education and related services designed to meet their own needs, to assure that the rights of handicapped children and their parents or guardians are protected, to assist States and localities to provide for the education of all handicapped children, and to assess and assure the effectiveness of efforts to educate handicapped children. -
Public Law 99-457 IDEA Reauthorization
Mandated services for preschoolers with disabilities ages 3-5. Permitted early intervention services for infants and toddlers from birth through age 2 with developmental delays or disabilities. Individualized family service plan (IFSP) established for infants and toddlers. “Developmentally delayed” label created. -
Public Law 100-407 Technology-Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act
The Tech Act authorized federal funds to be granted to the states to create statewide systems for delivering assistive technology and technology service to individuals with disabilities. This law helped states help meet people's needs. -
Public Law 101-336 American with Disablities Act
This public law forbids discrimination against persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. -
Public Law 107-110 No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind is the reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The goal of this law is that all children will be proficient in basic skills by 2014. School districts are required to work toward meeting the goal through the benchmarks outlined in adequate yearly progress (AYP). Children are to be taught by “highly qualified” teachers who utilize methods and materials that are based in scientific research. -
Public Law 108-446 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004
While educational services and supports have come a long way since 1975, Congress' intent in 2004 was that the IDEA move even further by raising expectations so that "to the maximum extent possible, students with disabilities meet the challenging expectations set for all children." -
Public Law 114-95 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)-2015
Reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 (ESEA).
This new education law was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015 and reauthorized the 50 year old Elementary and Secondary Education Act. ESSA includes provisions that will help to ensure success for students and schools building on the previous No Child Left Behind Act.
