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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
The Supreme Court rules that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. This was a historical marker where the fight for racial equality began to ripple throughout the country. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
As part of his "War on Poverty" movement, Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the most consequential federal legislation leading up to current times. This law had a sweeping effect on creating educational opportunities for minorities and special needs children. -
Amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The following year, an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act expanded funding for disabled children. -
Education of the Handicapped Act of 1970 (Title VI, amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965)
A core grant program was initiated for state and local educational organizations. This was the first amendment solely dedicated to the educational future of disabled children. -
Diana v. State Board of Education
This was the first step toward reducing discrimination against blacks and the poor. Using test scores to group students into "tracks" was eliminated and deemed prejudicial. -
Parc v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
This landmark case produced a monumental outcome in giving every handicapped child the right to receive an education. -
Mills v. Board of Education
The court rules that students with disabilities are entitled to free education. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This anti-discrimination, civil rights statute guaranteed specific rights to protect disabled students from discrimination. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Public schools accepting federal funds were mandated to provide equal and just access to education for children with disabilities, including one free meal a day. -
Hendrick Hudson School v. Rowley
Hard-of-hearing student Amy Rowley's case prompted the Supreme Court to clarify prominent aspects of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to include that all children must receive adequate education services. (The Rowleys brought an action in the United State District Court claiming that the denial of the sign language interpreter was a direct violation of “free appropriate public education”. (Excerpt from the court’s own description at 458 US 176 at 183) -
Timothy W. v. Rochester School District
Led to a zero rejection policy, reinforcing that all disabled children are welcome in public school regardless of the severity of their disability. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act
The Act extends the prohibition of discrimination against disabled people to include all areas of public and private life. -
No Child Left Behind Act (Previously the Education for All Handicapped Children Act)
This Act promised that special education students would receive an education tailored to their specific needs. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Standardized testing statutes from the No Child Left Behind Act were modified to allow flexibility in administering tests. -
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District
The Supreme Court ruled that disabled students deserve an education focused on maintaining their educational progress.
