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1971 Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
This case was prompted by the state because of the denial of children with intellectual disabilities. A panel of three judges ruled that the state could not exclude these children. The decision also stated that these children should be placed in general classes whenever possible. The historical ruling supported programs for children with intellectual disabilities and placement decisions and supported parental decisions. -
1982 Board of Education of the Henrick Hudson School System v. Rowley
The Supreme Court decision clarified "appropriate" education by determining to open the doors of public education to students with disabilities. The school system was to provide an education comparable to those students without disabilities. The historical ruling prohibited discrimination based on disability in public and/or private programs and activities. Schools cannot conduct placement without the permission of the parent or legal guardians consent and documentation. -
1984 Marshall et al. v. Georgia
The judge in this case ruled that African Americans in special classes were not a discriminatory act. The case highlighted the need to include a measure of adaptive behaviors which included tasks of functioning independently within the classroom as part of the criteria for determining mild intellectual disabilities. The historical ruling supported the case by considering intellectual disabled individuals demonstrating delays in social development and intellectual functions.