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Brown vs. Board of Education
On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. -
Wyatt v. Stickney
Patients in a mental hospital in Alabama were granted rights to receive educational services regardless of age or extent of his/her disabilities and/or handicaps. Individuals with disabilities were no longer confined to such institutions without treatment that would better their life and education. "Wyatt v. Stickney will always be remembered for facilitating reforms across the country’s mental health systems..." [https://swspaustin.wordpress.com/2015/03/05/throwback-thursday-wyatt-v-stickney/] -
Title V, Section 504 becomes law
In 1973, one of the first United States federal / civil rights laws regarding disabled students was enacted. Title V, Section 504, mandates school districts to provide free appropriate public education to students with disabilities regardless of the type of disability or how complex it may be. -
Handicapped Children Act
1966 Education of the Handicapped Act was amended. Public Law 94-142 signed into law. All federally funded, public schools are required to provide equal access to education for children with physical/mental disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act
IDEA, Public Law 105-17, replaces 'Education of the Handicapped Act'. Law directs focus on the individual versus the disability. IDEA consists of six principals; Individualized Education Program, Free and Appropriate Public Education, Least Restrictive Environment, Appropriate Evaluation, Parent and Teacher Participation and Procedural Safeguards. -
IDEA, 1997
President Bill Clinton amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Students with disabilities are required to participate in district and state assessments, with accomodations if needed. -
No Child Left Behind
President George W. Bush signed a law stating that funding and resources must be made available for underprivileged students and students with disabilities to gain access the best public education possible. -
ADA Amendments Act of 2008
George W. Bush amends the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who have certain disabilities but may only need services to meet his/her educational goals may have access to those services even if the student does not meet requirements for special education under the IDEA law. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Law replaces NCLB Act of 2001. The ESSA allows 10% of students with severe cognitive disabilities (1% of all students), to be excused from the 'normal' standardized testing and will be required to take an alternate assessment. Each state determines which students will be allowed to take the alternate assessment. -
Civil rights of students with disabilities AT RISK!
IDEA is threatened by President Donald Trump and education secretary Betsy DeVos through the proposed implementation of school choice vouchers. Students with disabilities and the services needed for them to succeed are protected by federal law. Betsy Devos makes comment, on record; "it would be “misguided” to require private schools to follow federal law." (https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education-k-12/reports/2017/02/02/298010/betsy-devos-threat-to-children-with-disabilities/).
