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Brown v. Board of Education was the court case that declared segregation in public schools as unconstitutional. This case wasn't specifically geared to special education, but it laid the foundation for later movements in special education law. -
Lawsuit that established that public schools must provide free and appropriate education to all children, including those with disabilities, and could not deny these services due to the lack of funds. -
Act that prohibits discrimination because of disability in programs that receive federal funding, this includes schools. -
Signed by President Ford, ensuring that all school aged children with disabilities have a right to free and appropriate, public education. -
Clarified the meaning of a "free appropriate public education. Child should benefit educationally from instruction to achieve grade-level proficiency, does not require the child to be able to reach the maximum potential. -
Civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, schools, and other public places. -
Replaced Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Added autism and traumatic brain injury to the list of disabilities. Began requiring a transition plan for students to prepare themselves for independence after high school. -
Officially signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 8, 2002. Mandated standards-based education through annual standardized testing in reading and math from third grade through eighth grade and once in high school. -
Replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. Provided states with more flexibility to design their own system to promote a high-quality education for all students. Also ensured that students with disabilities remained included in state assessments. -
Supreme Court sided with Endrew, requiring that education must be reasonably calculated to enable a child to make appropriate progress in the light of the child's circumstances." Educational program must provide "more than de minimus."