Assignment 2: SPED Law/Timeline

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education

    It was found unconstitutional to divide students in school based on race. This was a big stepping stone for the special education community as well, showing that students with disabilities can't be excluded from receiving an education.
  • The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    This act was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson. It gives focus to low-income and low-performing students. Primary and secondary schools started to receive federal funding. During its implementation it provided resources and funding to special education.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 protects students and adults from discrimination. Students are allowed to participate in any program regardless of their disability. This extended to field trips and extracurricular activities like after school programs.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    This act was signed into law by Gerald Ford. This was the first special education law that was passed for students with disabilities. Regardless of a child's disability, a student was now entitled to a free appropriate public education. Through this act, implementation of least restricted environment and a student's individualized education program (IEP) came about.
  • Public Law 99-457 (Amendment to All Handicapped Children Act)

    Public Law 99-457 (Amendment to All Handicapped Children Act)

    This change provided services to children with a disability starting at birth. Before this, children didn't receive services until they turned three years of age.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    Americans with Disabilities Act

    This act was signed into law by George H. W. Bush. It prohibits discrimination towards anyone with a disability, and includes both mental and physical medical conditions. Some examples include people diagnosed with Autism, cancer, obsessive compulsive disorder, or diabetes. This act helps those individuals in being able to find employment, because places of work cannot discriminate against someone simply because they have a disability.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    This act was signed into law by George H. W. Bush. It was originally known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. We now refer to it as IDEA. Changes were made including new disability categories, like Autism, as well as transitional services for older students. Through implemented changes more attention is focused on the student, rather than their disability.
  • IDEA (Amendment of 1997)

    IDEA (Amendment of 1997)

    President Bill Clinton amended the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Originally the term "developmentally delayed" only applied to students birth to five years old. The new amendment extended this to six to nine years old.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    No Child Left Behind Act

    The "No Child Left Behind" Act was signed into law by George W. Bush. This act was a continuation of the ESEA. This act focuses on incorporating more of the general education curriculum to students with disabilities. Students in special education are expected to also partake in standardized testing, with modifications and accommodations in their IEP as needed, to show yearly academic progress.
  • Every Student Succeeds Act

    Every Student Succeeds Act

    President Barack Obama signed this law into effect. This law was an extension, and modification, of the No Child Left Behind Act. This act allows each state to determine which students with severe disabilities do not have to partake in standardized testing. This act grants educators, on a state level, more of a voice in the education of their students.