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The White House Conference of 1910
This conference intended to define and establish programs for children with disabilities. Children with disabilities were put in institutions rather than public education. When these students were sent to schools instead, they were put in segregated classrooms (Yell & Rodgers, 1998, pg. 221). Students dropped out or were unable to continue their education. These segregated classrooms became similar to institutions and the classroom environment was not inclusive. (Yell & Rodgers, 1998, pg. 221). -
Brown V. Board of Education
In 1954, this case recognized that the Fourteenth Amendment was violated by segregation in schools. This case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) declaring "separate but equal" unconstitutional (Warren, 1954, pg. 2). This law extended past just race and to individuals with disabilities who were separated and not deemed an education because of their disability. Therefore this law set a foundation for equality and integration for all discriminated communities in the classrooms as we see today. -
PARC v. Pennsylvania
This law noticed the state was ignoring its constitutional obligation to support education for students with disabilities, violating the Fourteenth Amendment. The agreement that children with disabilities between the ages of 6 and 21 are given a free public education, continuing the educational rights of students with disabilities. This allowed for more access and education for individuals with disabilities, like the classrooms kindergarten through 12 grade (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2019, pg. 42). -
Mills V. Board of Education
Mills V. Board of Education deals with the right to education. This case provided each child an education regardless of the degree of the child's mental, physical or emotional impairment. The education would meet the students need and will place the children where they need to be correctly (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2019, pg. 42). This law also shaped certain procedures in labeling and placing students with disabilities so every student is included in the school (Yell & Rodgers, 1998, pg. 223). -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
In 1973, congress passed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, protecting persons with disabilities against discrimination (Yell & Rodgers,1998, pg. 224). This law focused to make individual modifications and accommodations for people with disabilities like programs available to individuals without disabilities (Yell & Rodgers, 1998, pg. 224). This would give every child access to school and an appropriate education. Today students receive certain modifications based on their IEP and classroom. -
Lau v. Nichols
In 1974, this case addresses the bilingual education status of schools. Students who do not understand English were not equally treated and were given the same curriculum (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2019, pg. 42). As a result of the case, schools were required to offer certain programs for English language learners (ELLs) for equal education (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2019, pg. 42). Today, ELLs are played with certain teachers and classrooms for certain curriculums, rather than mainstream english classes. -
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
This act mandated students with disabilities the right to testing, evaluation, placement procedures and appropriate, free education. This act also enacted the use of IEPs and the documentation for each student in special education. The importance of this act allows for better understanding of the individual students and a more accurate level of placement. Having every student who is in special education have an IEP allows for everyone to be on the same page (Yell & Rodgers, 1998, pg. 225). -
Agostini v. Felton
In 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a rule that had banned publicly funded educational services to students who were enrolled in private schools. After the ruling of Agostini v. Felton, teachers and special education services could be instilled for students in private schools (Gargiulo & Bouck, 2019, pg. 42). This ensured more equality and an aspect of non-public education concerns. Today, more access to special education is instilled in private schools. -
Schaffer v. Weast
In November 2005, Schaffer v. Weast addresses how parents can challenge the school's district to argue their child's IEP is inappropriate (Conroy et al., 2008, pg. 108). The Individualized Educational Plan can be challenged under the individuals with Disabilities Program (IDEA) which ensures free, appropriate public education (FAPE) which is stated in an individuals IEP (Conroy et al., 2008, pg. 108). -
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District
This case came 35 years later after District v. Rowley (1982) which decided how much educational benefit public schools are required to provide students with disabilities (Yell & Bateman, 2017, pg. 8). As a result of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, the support of IEPs and their importance to special education was deemed the foundation (Yell & Bateman, 2017, pg. 8). Today IEPs are required and highly foundational to classrooms, students, teachers and parents.