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Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark Supreme Court decision declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Although it primarily addressed racial segregation, it also paved the way for arguments that students with disabilities should not be excluded from public education. This decision helped lay the foundation for the inclusion of all students, regardless of disability. -
The Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was a groundbreaking law that prohibited discrimination based on disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This was the first federal civil rights law that applied to people with disabilities, ensuring that students with disabilities had equal access to education and accommodations in schools. -
Education for All Handicapped Act
This law, commonly known as Public Law 94-142, was a game-changer for students with disabilities. It ensured that every child, regardless of their disability, had the right to a free public education tailored to their needs. This act introduced the concept of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and emphasized that students should be placed in the least restrictive environment (LRE) possible. Wrightslaw -
Handicapped Children's Act
This act amended the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to allow parents of children with disabilities to recover attorney's fees if they prevail in a lawsuit challenging violations of their child’s right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). This law further empowered parents to advocate for their children’s educational rights. -
ADA
The ADA was a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including schools. It required that educational institutions make their facilities accessible to students with disabilities and provided further support for the inclusion of these students in mainstream education. -
IDEA
IDEA expanded the rights and protections for students with disabilities established by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. It introduced transition services to help students prepare for life after school and recognized autism and traumatic brain injury as distinct disability categories. This law strengthened the commitment to inclusion by ensuring that students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum. IDEA -
The No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act aimed to close the achievement gap in education by holding schools accountable for the academic progress of all students, including those with disabilities. The act required that students with disabilities participate in state assessments and that schools demonstrate adequate yearly progress (AYP) for this population. -
IDEIA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) was a reauthorization of IDEA. It emphasized improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities by aligning IDEA more closely with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The IDEIA introduced measures to ensure accountability and improve the quality of special education by focusing on scientifically based instructional practices and early intervention services.