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Brown vs. Board of Education
The supreme court ruled that separate but equal was not actually equal. That the segregation of African-Americans is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy vs. Ferguson.link text -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
ESEA was passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as part of his war on poverty. It gave students from lower socioeconomic areas equal access to a quality education by providing federal funds to school districts in those areas. Districts need to show that they are working to meet the needs and that they are providing quality education to all their students.link -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973
This was the first civil rights statute for individuals with disabilities. It prohibited the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in any programs receiving federal aid based on their disability. link -
Education For All Handicapped Children Act
"This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education for children with disabilities. Schools were required to evaluate children with disabilities and create an educational plan with parent input. The act also required that school districts provide administrative procedures so that parents of disabled children could dispute decisions made about their children’s education." (FAPE, LRE) link -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA gives students access to a free and appropriate education to eligible children with disabilities. IDEA tells states and public agencies how they should provide early intervention, special education, and related services to individuals with disabilities. Link -
The Americans with Disabilities Act
ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The law makes sure that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Link -
Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Directs the Secretary of Education to provide continuity grants, for assistive technology (AT) for individuals with disabilities, to States that have received less than ten years of funding under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act-199810.Link -
No Child Left Behind
NCLB held schools accountable for how their students learned and achieved. Their goal was to 'level the playing field' for students who are disadvantaged. The law penalized schools that did not show improvement. NCLB also requires that special education teachers be highly qualified and that paraprofessionals that work in Title I schools be qualified. Link -
Assistive Technology Act of 2004
Requires that States provide direct aid to individuals with disabilities to ensure they have access to the technology they need. Maximizes the ability of individuals with disabilities, and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives, to obtain AT. Link -
IDEA 2004-revisions in 2006
The reauthorization of the IDEA that allows changes to be made regarding special education. Research-based methods must be used for instruction and determining eligibility. As a result, many districts introduced Response to Intervention tiers of instruction.link
