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Brown v. Board of Education 347 U.S. 483 (1954)
Separation of students with disabilities and students of a different race was a nation wide rule throughout the United States. Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 decided that segregation of race within schools was illegal. "The Supreme Court’s decision with parents and disability advocacy groups, suggesting that this historical case had huge potential and opportunities for children with special needs." Forte, J. (2017) The Brown decision helped pave the way for students with disabilities. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia, 358 F. Supp. 866 (D.D.C. 1972)
Mills states that no child could be denied public education because of mental, behavioral, physical, or emotional handicaps. "Mills expanded the ruling of P.A.R.C. beyond children with developmental disabilities." Forte, J. (2017) The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act helped Mills and followed in 1975, which states all public schools who accept federal funding are required to provide free education for children with disabilities. -
Board of Education v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982)
Rowley was a Supreme Court case that argued the term free and appropriate public education. Amy Rowley was a deaf student who needed a sign language interpreter. "The Supreme Court found that a sign language interpreter was not required and that the school needed only to enable the child to benefit from the education program and pass from grade to grade." (Hendrick Hudson Board of Education V. Rowley.| Mass Legal Services, n.d.) This case was one of the first to question the term appropriate. -
Honig v. Doe, 484 U.S. 305 (1988)
Honing v. Doe is a Supreme Court case in which the stay-put clause was enacted. "The Court ruled that a school district may not unilaterally exclude or expel a disabled child from the classroom setting for dangerous or disruptive conduct growing out of their disabilities." Forte, J. (2017) This case stated that students with disabilities must stay-put in their educational setting regardless of behavioral issues or suspension. -
Americans With Disabilities Act 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. This law gives people with disabilities equal opportunities no matter the disability. "Prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government’ programs and services." (Americans With Disabilities Act) This ensures equal opportunities overall. -
Timothy W. v. Rochester, New Hampshire, School District, 875 F.2d 954 (1st Cir. 1989)
Timothy argued that his district violated the IDEA law by not providing appropriate education for every child no matter the severity of their disability. The district argued his disability was too severe for him to benefit from education. "The Court held that the act provides for a zero-reject policy and that under the act such severely disabled children are in fact given the highest priority and protection under the act itself." Forte (2017) This was a crucial case for all with disabilities. -
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act 1990
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures students with disabilities are provided with free appropriate public education. "IDEA requires that schools provide special education services to eligible students as outlined in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)." (IDEA - NCLD, 2022) This law makes sure that children with disabilities have the option of free public education.