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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
Elementary and Secondary Education Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B Johnson with the belief that full educational opportunity should be our first national goal; this was part of his 'war on poverty'. This act provided federal funding for elementary and secondary education and the creation of national curriculum. This enabled mechanisms to hold schools accountable and increase national education equality. This paved the way to enable special education laws. -
Education for All Handicapped Children (EHA)
Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) in 1975. Before children with disabilities were denied educational opportunities; EHA's goal was to provide all students with free and appropriate education. Through EHA all public schools were given federal funding dedicated to providing students with disabilities appropriate education. Schools had to evaluate and create a plan that paralleled their peers and have a support system for parents. -
Handicapped Children’s Protection Act
The EHA is amended with Handicapped Children's Protection Act. This bill enabled the authorization of payment for attorney fees for parties who (successfully) sue. Also offers funds to assist state/local agencies educating students with disabilities. It accomplishes this by ensuring that parents must be a part of developing their child's IEP (individual education plan) and are entitled to a hearing if they believe the IEP is inappropriate for their child (can file a lawsuit if needed). -
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that all children with disabilities have access to FAPE that meets all of their needs in order to prepare them for post secondary life (college, employment, independent living, ect), in the LRE possible. IDEA is broken down into four sub-parts that specific state what is required. Part A is the foundation of the act, Part B lays the educational guidelines, Part C supports early intervention, and Part D deals with national action. -
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
ADA prohibits the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life (jobs, schools, transportation, etc). This law is used to ensure that all people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as anyone else.The ADA is divided into five titles that each relate to different areas of life (employment, state and local government, public accommodation, telecommunications, and miscellaneous provisions). -
No Child Left Behind Act
This is the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In this act there were a number of measures created to support student achievement and hold states/school more accountable for the progress of students. Measures included annual testing, academic progress, report cards, funding changes, and teacher qualifications. -
Reauthorized IDEA
This makes several changes to IDEA while still preserving the basic structure and goals of IDEA. For example, this revision requires highly qualified special education teachers. As well as more accountability on state and local level by requiring more data on the outcomes. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
This Act is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); working to further improve the national education laws and commitment for equal opportunity provided to all students. This new law builds upon key areas of progress such as improving graduation rates and decreasing dropout rates. As well as increase college attendance. Its goal is to focus on preparing all students to succeed in college and careers after high-school.
