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Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court of the United States found that African American children had the right to equal protection of the laws. This decision ended segregation of public schools. This decision then led to parents with children with disabilities to bring their own lawsuits against schools that would deny children because of their disabilities. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
This act provided resources to help ensure that disadvantaged students had access to quality education. One of the programs that came from this act was the creation of Title 1 programs, which are still in existence today. This allowed for funding to be directed to low-income schools and districts to provide funding for children with special needs. -
Free Appropriate Public Education Act of 1973
Requires schools to provide free and appropriate education for all kids and cannot discriminate against kids with disabilities. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Forbids discrimination based on disability which includes colleges and universities. Section 504 of this act requires post-secondary schools whether public or private to make available programs accessible to students with disabilities. This has standardized treatment for students with disabilities across the country. -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975
This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. This act led will lead to what is known today as the Individualized Education Program (IEP) where the teacher and parent decide together the best educational experience for the child with special needs that closely match children without special needs. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
Prevents discrimination based on disability. Allows for equal accommodations and access to schools and classrooms. This also includes extracurricular activities. As part of a student's IEP, special accommodations are allowed such as specialized computer equipment, allowing students to record instruction, and extra time in between classes or to complete homework/tests, etc. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990
Provides children with disabilities from birth to 21 years old the right to a free public education that is specifically designed to meet their unique needs with least restrictive environment. IEP law is found in this act and requires schools to create an individualized education plan for children with disabilities with parents input. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002
Reauthorized ESEA. States to set high standards and measurable goals and develop assessments in basic skills. Incentives for schools who showed progress with special needs students and provide students with options than schools who did not meet the needs of the students. Special needs students would be counted the same as non special needs students. There is controversy around this act for special needs children who need individualized plans but are being held to group accountability. -
Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004
Reauthorizes IDEA. Also provides that all students with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs.Gives states federal funds to make special education available for students with disabilities and prepare them for future education, employment and independent living.This improvement to the original act goes beyond the classroom so students are prepared for after education. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Replaced No Child Left Behind Act and reauthorized the ESEA Act of 1965. The act retained standardized testing and leaves more control to the states. This act set new mandates requiring all but students with severe cognitive abilities to take the same assessments and be held to the same accountability as students without disabilities. Special Education students today are given accommodations for testing, such as having the test read to them, but take the same assessments.
