Court Timeline

By brittany.burkhard

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Supreme Court decision declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional, setting a precedent for future advocacy for students with disabilities.

  • The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    Provided federal funding to support the education of students with disabilities.

  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Established the right to a free public education for children with intellectual disabilities.

  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia

    Expanded the right to education to all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability.

  • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    Includes Section 504, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal funding.

  • The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    Guaranteed a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

  • Board of Education v. Rowley

    Supreme Court case clarifying that FAPE requires schools to provide services that are reasonably calculated to enable a child to receive educational benefit, but not necessarily to maximize their potential.

  • Irving Independent School District v. Tatro

    Supreme Court case holding that the provision of certain medical services, like clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), qualifies as a related service under IDEA.

  • Honig v. Doe:

    Supreme Court case establishing that students with disabilities cannot be expelled from school for behaviors related to their disability.

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life.

  • Olmstead v. L.C

    Supreme Court case affirming the right of individuals with disabilities to live in the community rather than in institutions, when appropriate.

  • The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    Increased accountability and focus on standardized testing for all students, including those with disabilities.

  • IDEA Reauthorization

    Emphasized greater inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms and increased accountability for educational outcomes, along with other changes.

  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Reauthorized and strengthened the EAHCA, further expanding services for students with disabilities.

  • The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    Replaced NCLB, giving states more flexibility in accountability measures but still emphasizing the importance of supporting students with disabilities.

  • Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District

    Supreme Court case clarifying that a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) requires schools to provide an educational program reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances.