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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
This Supreme Court case was a huge landmark for schools. The Court decided that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. It decided that the previous ruling of "Separate but equal" was never actually equal. This is important because not only does it help integrate students of different races into the same schools, it opens the path to also do the same for students with disabilities. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
This act provides funding to both primary and secondary education and was written in by Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his War on Poverty. It called for equal access to education for all students as well as federal funding for students that are disadvantaged by poverty. This is important because it helps close the gap in education that can be seen due to lack of resources in certain schools. -
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia (1972)
This case ruled that held that students with disabilities are entitled to an education, and that education cannot be denied even if they cannot pay for it. This is important because it became the building blocks for the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This Act signed by President Gerald Ford required all states that accepted money from the federal government to provide equal access to education for children with disabilities. This is important in special education history because without it schools would not be required to meet the needs of students with disabilities. -
Hendrick v. Rowley
This legal case was the 1st time the Supreme Court interpreted the Education of all Handicapped Children Act. Rowley was a hearing impaired student that was granted an IEP. The parents requested a sign language interpreter but was denied by the school. The parents sued arguing that she was denied a free appropriate education. The school won saying that she was given adequate learning opportunity, which is important because it set precedent for the interpretation of "free appropriate education" -
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
This act prohibits discrimination based on disability, including both mental and physical medical conditions. This is importance because it makes sure people are not discriminated against in admittance to higher education, as well as makes sure school campuses are physically accessible for students with physical handicaps. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Education for all Handicapped Children’s Act was renamed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as well as added new disability categories. It also introduced individual transition plans (ITP) which is important because it helps the student transition to post-secondary life. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
This Act was an attempt to improve the academic performance of all students, including the ones with disabilities. Schools had to test all students in reading and math and report the results. If they were unable to meet the goals they risked consequences. It also required states to ensure their teachers have specific qualifications in the subject they are teaching. This Act was highly criticized due to putting restrictions on teachers causing them to teach for the test which limited learning. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
ESSA replaced the previous education law: No Child Left Behind. It extended more flexibility to States in education and better laid out expectations. It requires assessments be given in reading, math, and science. This Act is important because it helps give the states and teachers more flexibility as well as involves the parents in standards and results. -
Endrew F v. Douglas County School District
Endrew was a child with an IEP, after several years his learning and behavior had not improved yet his school recommended his IEP stay the same. His parents then enrolled him in a private school where he made significant progress. His parents filed a complaint which led to a lawsuit sent to the Supreme Court. The Supreme court ruled in favor of the school. This is important because it provides insight on what level of educational benefit schools are required to provide to students under the IDEA