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The Transformation of Education
The transformation of education began with the Brown VS Board of Education that agreed, regardless of race, everyone deserves a public education. Over the next 15 plus years, the federal courts made it clear that all students deserve equal protection of the law without discrimination due to a disability. -
Panel on Mental Retardation
John F. Kennedy made mental retardation a priority for his administration by forming the Panel on Mental Retardation. The Panel's research prompted new legislation, Public Law 88-164, that authorized funding for dev. research centers and community facilities for those with mental retardation. Amendments to the Social Security Act, Public Law 88-156, increased services and funded studies to help those with disabilities. Unfortunately, expired with the Kennedy Administration. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects the rights of all minority groups, including those with disabilities. Although special education was not the main focus of the movement, people with disabilities did receive some protection. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
President Lyndon B. Johnson passed a federal education bill as a part of his War on Poverty. The bill addressed the inequality of educational opportunities for children who were economically underprivileged. In 1966, Congress amended the ESEA to create a grant program to aid states in the establishment and improvement of programs for the education of disabled students. -
Education of the Handicapped Act
In 1970, congress enacted the Education of the Handicapped Act, which included grant programs for states that developed educational programs and oppurtunities for students with disabilities. -
Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
The due process clause of the 14th Amendment was interpreted to give parents specific rights to prior notice such as appeals. The cases, PA Association for Retarded Children (PARC) Commonwealth of PA and Mills v. Board of Ed., secured rights were before laws allowed schools to deny services to children who had not attained a mental age of 5 at the start of 1st grade. States agreed to provide full access to an appropriate education up to age 21 in the least restrictive enviorment. -
504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This law was the first civil rights statute for people with disabilities. It helped to form the American Disability Act and stated that students with disabilities should be provided a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. This law also stated that no one can be excluded or denied benefits from a program that is receiving federal funds. -
Education of All Handicapped Children Act was passed
In 1975, the Public Law 94-142 - Education of All Handicapped Children Act was passed. Also known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) required states to develop policies to assure every student with disabilities receives a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). IDEA required schools to develop and implement FAPE plans and policies in order to receive federal funding. Amended in 1986 to include preschool and early intervention. -
Zero Rejection
Zero Rejection stated that school district must provide students with educational programs regardless of the severity of their disability. Many schools attempted to turn away students based on cost of educating the child. This law protected those students. Other cases during from this time, helped schools and children by providing extended school year, homebound instruction and least restrictive environment, services and meeting IEP goals and providing services relating impairments. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, was created in 1990 and is a modification of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This law ensures that special needs students receive appropriate free public education in the least restrictive environment necessary to meet those students’ needs. It provides extra assistance a student may need but also allows them to participate in the same activities as children without special needs whenever possible. -
The American with Disabilities Act
The American with Disabilities Act was the nations first comprehensive civil rights law addressing the needs of people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodation, and telecommunication. Basically, the ADA required public places, commercial facilities and state and local government buildings to be accessible to everyone whether they were in a wheelchair or could not climb stairs or had other disabilities accessing a building. -
Florence County School District v. Carter
The Supreme Court ruled that if a student’s public school does not provide appropriate services, then the school may have to pay for the student’s education at another public school or a private school that does provide such services. -
IDEA Amendments of 1997
President Bill Clinton signed the amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA which lay out plans to integrate more students with disabilities into general education classrooms. It was the hope of those involved in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that children with disabilities would have the same opportunity for education as those students who do not have a disability. -
No Child Left Behind
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, often referred to as No Child Left Behind Act, holds schools accountable for the academic performance of all students. The act requires schools to develop routine assessments of a students’ academic skills. This act impacts Special Education by encouraging schools to demonstrate progress in students with special needs. It also allows students to seek educational options if they feel their academic, social or emotional needs aren't being met. -
IDEA Improvement Act of 2004
In 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was changed to be in alignment with No Child Left Behind Act that required all teacher to be highly qualified and those teaching special education classes are to be certified in special education. IDEA of 2004 also included that Individualized education plans (IEP) must contain annual goals that are measurable, provide a description of how the child's progressing and show how goals will be measured and reported. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replaced No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The law modified but did not eliminate periodic standardized tests given to students. The main purpose of ESSA is to make sure public schools provide a quality education for all kids, especially those that are considered disadvantaged such as those living in poverty, a minority, receive special education or have limited English language skills.
