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Brown v. Board of Education
The first significant court case to influence special education. Brown V. Board of Education determined that segregation on the basis of race violated equal educational opportunity. This court case impacted special education because it led the way to a growing understanding that all people, regardless of race, gender, or disability, have a right to public education. It encouraged the formation of many advocacy groups that called upon the need for special education programs. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The act offered new grants to districts serving low-income or vulnerable students. It consisted of federal grants for textbooks and library books and scholarships for low-income college students. Additionally, it provided federal grants to state educational agencies to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education. The act impacted special education today because it set aside funds specifically for students with disabilities for special education centers, and programs. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
A law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and states that the needs of public school students with disabilities must be met as adequately as those of their non-disabled peers. This act has impacted special education today because this guarantees students to perform on grade level, under 504 accommodations such as extended time on a test, being able to use a spell checker for their writing. It doesn't change what a student is learning or modify the curriculum. -
The Education of all Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
Ensured that special education services are available to children who need them at free of cost. Guaranteed that decisions about services to students with disabilities are fair & appropriate. Established specific management & auditing requirements for special education & provided federal special education funds. Today, all children with disabilities must have an individualized education program, a free & appropriate public education, & be served in the least restrictive environment. -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
Amy Rowley was a deaf student, whose school refused to provide a sign language interpreter. Her parents filed suit contending violations of the EAHCA of 1975. This event has impacted special education today because the court ruled that students who qualify for special education services must have access to public school programs that meet their unique educational needs & that the programs must be supported by services that enable students to benefit from instruction. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Ensures the right of individuals with disabilities to nondiscriminatory treatment; it provides protections of civil rights in the specific areas of employment, transportation, public accommodations, communication & access to state & local government programs & services. The act impacts special education today because it provides nondiscriminatory services designed to address the educational needs of students with disabilities to the maximum extent possible as comparable to nondisabled students. -
Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA governs how the state & local school districts provide early interventions, special education & related services for students with disabilities ages three to twenty-one. This act impacts special education today because it supported the implementation of individual education plans, the least restrictive environment, parent/guardian surrogate consultation, nondiscriminatory evaluation, confidentiality, & personal development in-service for all special education students. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NCLB addresses accountability for student achievement by requiring increased participation in statewide assessments by students with identified disabilities. It also calls for highly qualified teachers, including those who teach special education. The intention of NCLB is to tighten the achievement gap for students considered to be at- risk. NCLB impacts special education today because it ensures that every student receives an equal education and are held to equal high expectations. -
IDEA Reauthorized
Allows for alternative models to identify learning
disabilities, such as RTI: the practice of providing high-quality instruction & interventions matched to student needs, monitors progress to make decisions about changes in instruction and goals & applies data to important educational decisions. Today, IDEA is in place to ensure identification, free appropriate public education, due process, guardian surrogate consultation, LRE, IEPs, proper evaluation, confidentiality & teacher development. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA set a 1% statewide cap on which students are eligible to participate in alternative assessments. Also, students who qualify must have access to appropriate accommodations for assessments. Lastly, students are assessed in grades 3 through 8 and then once in high school (typically the junior year). ESSA impacts special education today because it provides all students a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to closes educational achievement gaps. -
Case of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District
The case clarified the substantive standard for determining whether a child’s IEP; the centerpiece of each child’s entitlement to FAPE under the IDEA is sufficient to grant educational benefit for students with disabilities. This impacts special education today because each child must be offered an IEP that provides access to instructional strategies & curricula that are aligned to both challenging State academic content standards & annual goals, based on the student's unique circumstances.
