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Brown vs. The Board of Education
On May 17th, 1954 in Topeka Kansas there was a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. This led to the determination that "separate but equal" is in fact not equal at all as the facilities and resources being offered to the students of color were of much less quality than those being offered to the white students.
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Signed in to law by Lyndon B. Johnson the Elementary and Secondary Education act outlines a clear role for the federal government in K-12 education by offering over 1 billion dollars per year in Title 1 funds to schools serving disadvantaged communities.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This law determined that it is illegal to discriminate against anyone based on their disability. This law also determined that individuals with disabilities are entitled to tools and other aids. This introduced the 504 plan which provides our students with certain accommodations such as extended time on assignments. A 504 plan can also be applied in a work setting by providing accommodations such as written directions for tasks.
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/section-504-2/ -
Education of all Handicapped Children Act
This law requires all schools receiving federal funds to provide equal access for SWD. This law determined that SWD have the right to a free appropriate public education within their least restrictive environment, accommodations during testing, and an individualized education plan. This law also determined that parents have the right to their child's records, must be informed of any changes, and can dispute records at any time.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/94/s6/summary -
Amendment to the Education of All Handicapped Children Act
This law was later amended in order to include preschool students with disabilities. This entitled preschool students to all the benefits provided in the Education of All Handicapped Children Act such as a free and appropriate education, an IEP, education within the least restrictive environment, and parental involvement.
https://www.specialedusa.com/post/timeline-special-education-laws -
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
IDEA is a reinstatement of the Education for all Handicapped Children Act. IDEA governs how states & public agencies provide education & related services to students birth- 21. IDEA authorizes grants for special education & related services such as early intervention. IDEA also authorizes grants for higher education, research, parent training, & nonprofits. IDEA outlines the 13 disability categories.
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/#IDEA-History
Learn more: https://youtu.be/66g6TbJbs2g -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act prohibits the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in their adult life. This pertains to; employment, state and local public services, public accommodations and services operated by private entities, telecommunications, and transportation. This law helped to implement things such as curb cutouts in the sidewalk and handicapped restrooms.
https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview -
Amendment to Individuals with Disabilities Act
IDEA was later amended in order to include information regarding discipline for SWD. This law works to provide a balance between the school's discipline policy & ensuring SWD are being provide a free & appropriate public education within their least restrictive environment. This amendment also requires that SWD be involved in state & district wide assessment with accommodations where necessary. Teachers also received more training as a result.
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED433668.pdf -
No Child Left Behind Act
This reinstatement of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act greatly increased pressure on schools to do well by linking federal funding to test scores. As a result, all students in 3-8 grade must take a gov. mandated test. Emphasis was put on improving performance of ELLs, SWD, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Teachers now must be highly qualified.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html
https://youtu.be/0--2nhsDorg -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
A reinstatement of earlier IDEA, this law helps to outline how and when states must identify students with disabilities. States no longer have to use the discrepancy model and can move to models such as RTI. Special education teachers must be highly qualified in special education as well as the subjects they teach. A summary of performance must be given to all students who exit special education programs. Law also outlines who must be present at meetings.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/11201/ -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Replaces NCLB. Shows congress taking a step back from schools & removing some accountability factors. Schools now must create & submit their own accountability plans, goals, & systems. Schools still expected to show improvement in the areas earlier discussed but there is more leeway as to how this will look. Now states will only intervene in the bottom 5% of all schools. Teacher evaluation no longer tied to student outcomes.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/every-student-succeeds-act/index.html
