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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Signed into law by President Ford on 11/29/1975, it guaranteed access to free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for students with disabilities. This act was amended in 2004 to improve educational results for special education students. Supported SPED students allowing them to feel included. Reference: U.S. Department of Education. (2022, November 7). About idea. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Retrieved from https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/ -
Board of Education v. Rowley
Amy Rowley was a deaf child and her parents requested a sign-language interpreter in all her classes. Rowley won in District Court but lost in the supreme court as they felt she was getting a free "appropriate" public education. This case further detailed the allotments SPED students should be provided with.
Reference: Forte, J. (2017). History of special education: Important landmark cases. Forte Law Group. http://www.fortelawgroup.com/history-special-education-important-landmark-cases -
Honig v. Doe
This case dealt with the issue of expelling a disabled child causing the Court to create the "ten-day rule". Thus, if a school must conduct an IEP meeting before changing students' school placement. With the conduction of FBA teachers can determine if a child's behavior is due to their disability.
Reference: Forte, J. (2017). History of special education: Important landmark cases. Forte Law Group. http://www.fortelawgroup.com/history-special-education-important-landmark-cases -
Timothy W. v. Rochester, New Hampshire, School District
A child with multiple and severe disabilities was denied a free and appropriate public education because the school district deemed that he wouldn't benefit from it. The court ruled that the school district was to provide programs for all children with disabilities regardless of severity. Helped to solidify the rights of special education students.
Reference: http://www.fortelawgroup.com/history-special-education-important-landmark-cases -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life; ensures that those with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as others.
Supported the needs of students with disabilities by letting them receive free and public education.
Reference: ADA National Network. (2017). An overview of the Americans with disabilities act. ADA National Network. Retrieved from https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview