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Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
The Supreme Court found that African-American children had the right to equal educational opportunities and that segregated schools have no place in the field of public education. This was important for parents with had children with disabilities because they began to also question and fight against their children being segregated from other nondisabled children.
Wright, P. (Jan. 06, 2020) The History of Special Education Law. https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Congress enacted the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965 to address the inequality of educational opportunities for underprivileged children. This landmark legislation provided resources to help ensure that disadvantaged students had access to quality education
Wright, P. (Jan. 06, 2020) The History of Special Education Law. https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm -
Congressional Investigation.
In 1972, legislation was introduced in Congress after several landmark court cases establishing in law the right to education for all handicapped children.
Wright, P. (Jan. 06, 2020) The History of Special Education Law. https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment, and in the employment practices of federal contractors (Earn Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion https://askearn.org/topics/laws-regulations/rehabilitation-act/). -
Free Appropriate Public Education Act
Every child with a disability is entitled to a free FAPE. Schools are required to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for a child with disabilities designed to focus on student expectations, appropriate progress, and transition into postsecondary education and independent living.
Saleh, M. (2019, October 15). Your Child's Rights: 6 Principles of IDEA. Retrieved from https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/know-your-childs-rights/your-childs-rights-6-principles-of-idea/ -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This event is important because it was the first special education law directed towards students with physical and mental disabilities. The law stated that public schools must provide children with special needs with the same opportunities for education as other children. It also required any public school that received federal funds to provide one free meal a day for these children Link text -
Individualized Education Programs.
This program is important in special education because it allows all children access to a free appropriate public education. IEPs are designed to help students with goals, progress, and academic placement. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
This law ensures that special needs students receive appropriate free public education in the least restrictive environment necessary to meet those students’ needs. It helps students receive the extra assistance they need but allows them to participate in the same activities as children without special needs whenever possible. Link text -
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
This is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else (National Network, Information, Guidance, and Training On the Americans with Disability Act (https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview) -
No Child Left Behind.
The act requires schools in every state to develop routine assessments of students’ academic skills. This act provides incentives for schools to demonstrate progress in students with special needs. It also allows students to seek alternative options if schools are not meeting their academic, social, or emotional needs.
