-
People Involved: A group of Black parents (including Oliver Brown) sued the Topeka, Kansas school board.
What Happened: The Supreme Court ruled segregated schools unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.
Why It Matters Today: This brought the equal access in education, which would later influence special education law such as IDEA to ensure that students with disabilities are not excluded from public school. -
Parties Involved: The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) and 13 families sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
What Happened: PARC challenged a law that allowed schools to deny education to children with intellectual disabilities. The court agreed, because it violated federal rights.
Why It Matters Today: This led to the concept that all children, regardless of disability, have a right to public education. -
Parties Involved: Seven children with disabilities (led by Peter Mills) represented by NLADA (National Legal Aid Defender Association) sued the D.C. Board of Education.
What Happened: Court ordered, no child denied public education because of disability or cost.
Why It Matters Today: This became the funding requirement in IDEA and that the schools must serve all students, regardless of expense. -
What Happened: Section 504 was added into the Rehabilitation Act, signed by President Nixon. It marked the first instance of federal civil rights protection for the individuals with disabilities.
Why It Matters Today: This was the basis for the 504 Plans in schools, ensuring students who may not qualify under IDEA are still protected and receive accommodations like modified instruction time, assistive tools, or testing. -
What Happened: Congress passed this law guaranteeing FAPE, IEPs, LRE, and procedural safeguards for children with disabilities.
Why It Matters Today: This Became IDEA, It ensures that children with disabilities get the services, planning, and legal protections they need in school. -
Parties Involved: Amy Rowley (a deaf student) versus the Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District.
What Happened: The Court decided that schools meet their legal obligation if they provide a special education program that’s designed to help a student learn and benefit from instruction, even if it doesn’t help them reach their full potential.
Why It Matters Today: Set the baseline for special education standards. -
Two students with emotional disabilities were suspended by the San Francisco Unified School District for behavior due to their disabilities. Supreme Court ruled that this violated federal law, and students with disabilities must remain in their educational placement during disciplinary proceedings unless both the school and parents agree to a change.
Why It Matters:
This "stay-put" rule ensured that students receive education during the disputes, securing their rights, promoting fairness. -
Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public spaces, including schools.
Why It Matters Today:
ADA ensures that schools are accessible to all students, providing necessary accommodations such as wheelchair ramps, accessible restrooms, and accessible digital content. It also requires that educational materials and websites be usable by students with disabilities, promoting equal access to education. -
Congress reauthorized IDEA , to include autism and traumatic brain injury. This introduced transition planning, requiring that IEPs include a plan to support students' transition from school to post school activities, such as employment and independent living.
Why It Matters Today:
This led to the current special education practices with inclusion and transition plans to help students for life after school. -
Endrew F, autistic fifth grader, in a public school in Colorado, believed that the school's IEP was inadequate and moved to a private school asking for reimbursement arguing that public school failed to provide FAPE as required by IDEA. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that under IDEA, a school must offer IEP, enabling a child to progress within the circumstances. This raised the standard for FAPE, emphasizing the "appropriately ambitious" progress rather than minimal advancement.