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Brown v. Board of Education
Landmark Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. It laid the groundwork for the inclusion movement in special education. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Provided federal funding to primary and secondary education, emphasizing high standards and accountability. Special education received initial attention through this act. -
PARC v. Pennsylvania
A case where the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over the state's failure to provide public education to children with intellectual disabilities. This case helped establish the right to education for all children with disabilities. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
This expanded the PARC ruling to include all children with disabilities, reinforcing that no child could be denied a public education based on disabilities. -
Rehabilitation Act
Prohibited discrimination based on disability in any program receiving federal financial assistance, including public schools. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
Mandated free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for all children with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Reauthorization and expansion of EAHCA, emphasizing individualized education plans (IEPs) and inclusion in general education classrooms. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
Reauthorization of the ESEA, aimed at improving academic achievement, including provisions for special education students. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Replaced NCLB, giving states more flexibility while still holding schools accountable for the education of all students, including those with disabilities.