-
Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb
When the first American school for the deaf opened It was called the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. It is now called the American School for the Deaf. The school came about because parents advocated for their children and were able to enlist the help from not only other parents but from community members such as ministers.
socialwelfarehistoryproject -
Compulsory School Attendance Laws
Massachusetts became the first to pass comprehensive statewide compulsory schooling in the United States. This law required children ages 8-14 to attend school a minimum of three months out the year for at least six consecutive weeks. If parents didn't comply they would be fined. -
Brown V. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that the schools couldn't segregate children by race. It was deemed unconstitutional regardless of funds being allocated equally. Until then, the federal government did not advocate for students who experienced inequality and prejudice at school. This set the path for legislation to come.
Brown v. Board of Education Case Summary -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The ESEA made it so children from low-income families could have equal access to the public education system. The free and reduced lunch system was one of the provisions enacted under this act. This made it possible for one of the children's basic needs to be met, which helped their performance in school. -
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
Mills set precedent for universal access to education in the United States. A class action lawsuit brought by seven children that were denied a public education by the District of Columbia School District because of their disabilities and the cost of accommodations the school would incur to educate them. This was one of the cases that led to Education for All Handicapped Children Act. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Prohibits discrimination against all persons with disabilities, including school-age children, regardless of whether they require special educational services. Section 504 is a Civil Rights statute that prohibits discrimination based on disabling conditions by programs and activities receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
In 1975, (Public Law 94-142) FAPE was introduced. Free, appropriate public education made it so all children, regardless of their disability, are provided an appropriate education for their unique needs at no cost to the parents. Another component is the least restrictive environment. Children with disabilities are to be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum appropriate extent. -
Honig V. Doe
Doe brought an action to the supreme court because he was kicked out of school for attacking another student. Doe had a disability and the behavior he demonstrated was related to his disability. Doe felt it was a violation of Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The school violated the provision known as the "stay-put" provision, which provides that a handicapped child shall remain in their current educational placement pending completion of any review proceedings unless otherwise agreed. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
IDEA provides funding to state and local education agencies to ensure that eligible children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. FAPE, Individualized Education Program (IEP), Appropriate Evaluation, Parent and Student Participation, Procedural Safeguards and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) are the six principle of IDEA. pave