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Brown vs. Board of Education
This was the historic day when the Supreme court rules that school segregation by race was unconstitutional. This was the first time that the federal government advocated for for the students who had experienced some sense of inequality. -
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Legislation
Special Education Through the Years -
Elementary and secondary Education Act (ESA)
This act supported initiatives that assisted low-income families receive high-quality education, along with free and reduced school lunches. This helped students who needed additional support from the schools. -
Educational Amendments Act
This grants certain federal funds allocated to the states for their exceptional learners to be recognized and challenged. It also gave students and families the right of due process in special education placements. -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act
Also known as the mainstreaming law, this requires states to provide free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities. This Act also started the IEP program and defined what a least restrictive environment is. -
Americans with disabilities Act (public law 99-457)
This Act prohibited the discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector, and also gave equal opportunity to employment and public services, accommodations, transportation and telecommunications. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 1990)
This established the "people-first" language that referred to people with disabilities. This also extended provisions for due process and confidentiality for students and parents, required states to educate students with disabilities for transition to employment, and to provide transition services, among many other points. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 1997)
This updated IDEA Act required that all students with disabilities continue to receive services, even if they have been expelled from school. This also required school to assume greater responsibilities for ensuring that students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum. The Act also required the general education teacher to be a member of the IEP team, along with many more great points. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The NCLB Act of 2001 improved performances of elementary and secondary schools by increasing school, district, and state accountability for all students, including those from the minority and those with special needs. This Act also provided more flexibility as to how the states used their federal funding, as long as they were abiding and adhering to the standards. -
ndividuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
The IDEIA was the Act that encouraged districts to start using the RTI program. There was also more federal funding given out for early intervention services. This Act also eliminated the need for the short-term objectives in an IEP. A big part of this Act is that it also raised the standards for the special education licensure.
