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Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark case in American history since it declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. While this case was focused on racial equality, it did lay the foundation for future arguments supporting rights of students with disabilities. This ruling established that all children have a right to educational opportunities, later cases used this to argue that excluding children with disabilities from public education was also unconstitutional. -
Elem. and Secondary Ed. Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 marked the start of the federal government's funding and support of public education, specifically for disadvantaged students. It did not focus on students with disabilities, but showed the need for equal access to education for all children. It created programs and funding that would eventually support special education services and helped to hold public schools responsible for educating all children, regardless of their needs. -
Mills v. Board of Education of DC
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia established that students with disabilities cannot be denied access to public education due to the cost of services or their needs. This ruling stated that all students are entitled to a free and appropriate public education regardless of the severity of their disabilities. This case helped to pave the way for future legislation such as the Education for all Handicapped Children Act in 1975. -
PARC v. Pennsylvania
This groundbreaking case secured the right to an education for children with intellectual disabilities, as they were excluded from school entirely before this case. The court ruled that denying these students access to education was unconstitutional and they were entitled to a free and appropriate public education. This case set a legal precedent and influenced future laws, such as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act a few years later. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This was the first civil rights law that protected disabled individuals from discrimination. It ensured students with disabilities could not be denied participation in any program that receives federal funds. It required providing accommodations to help students with disabilities access the gen ed curriculum and continues to support students who require support. US Department of Ed. 504 -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
This landmark law guaranteed a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities. It required schools to identify, evaluate, and provide individualized services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This law ended widespread exclusion of children with disabilities from public schools and laid the foundation for modern special education practices. -
IDEA
IDEA History and Summary The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990 strengthened the rights of students with disabilities and renamed the earlier law to use respectful, person-first language. It added transition services to help students prepare for life after high school. IDEA also emphasized including students with disabilities in general education classrooms as much as possible. -
IDEA Reauthorization
The IDEA reauthorization in 1997 increased the focus on helping students with disabilities access the general education curriculum. It required that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) include measurable goals and that students with disabilities participate in state and district-wide assessments. This reauthorization also increased the role of parents in the special education process and promoted inclusion in regular classrooms. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act held schools accountable for the academic performance of all students, including those with disabilities. It required students with disabilities to be included in state testing and made schools report their progress, helping ensure they were not overlooked. NCLB promoted high expectations and access to the general education curriculum for students receiving special education services. -
IDEA Reauthorization 2004
The reauthorization of IDEA in 2004 aligned special education with the accountability goals of No Child Left Behind, focusing on improved outcomes for students with disabilities. It introduced the use of Response to Intervention (RTI) to help identify learning disabilities early and reduce misdiagnosis. The law also required that special education teachers be highly qualified and that IEPs include measurable goals tied to academic progress.