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Brown v. Board of Education
In 1954 Oliver Brown filed a legal case against the Board of education in Topeka, Kansas because his daughter Linda was denied enrollment to Topeka’s all-white school. Brown ultimately won the case laying the foundation for multiple class action suites to allowing free public education for children with disabilities.
https://www.acslaw.org/expertforum/the-meaning-of-brown-for-childrenwithdisabilities/#:~:text=The%201954%20Brown%20v.,for%20all%20children%20with%20disabilities -
Department of Public Welfare v Haas
In 1958 Cook County in the state of Illinois filed a case against Edward C Haas to accrue charges for the maintenance of his son Richard Haas at Lincoln State School. Edward denied the charges, claiming they violated his rights per the state constitution. The courts ruled that the State of Illinois did not have to provide free education for Richard Haas due to the fact he was labeled feeble-minded. https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914c9a7add7b049347f40c3 -
The Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act was mandated in 1965 by President Lyndon B Johnson as part of his war on poverty. The ESEA law states that every child is entitled to equal opportunity for free public education. The act was signed as a law on April 9, 1965, and has been reauthorized every 5 years since.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?321025-2/washington-journal-elementary-secondary-education-act-1965 -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was put into law by congress in 1975 to protects the rights of families with young children who have disabilities. This law is to ensure their educational needs are met. EAHCA requires all states and localities publicly funded schools to provide equal education to children with mental or physical disabilities.
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/94/s6 -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
In 1990 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act replaced EAHCA. In 1990 President Bush signed an amendment to change the name to IDEA and improve the law to protect more children in the future. IDEA guarantees free and equal education for all students. Children with special needs have the right to be mainstreamed into General Education classes. It also guarantees assistance in education to help transition students with special needs into life after high school. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Americans with Disabilities Act protects the rights of people with disabilities in the private sector. ADA also protects for equal employment opportunities. AIDS was included as a disability with this ADA -
Free Appropriate Public Education Act (FAPE)
Free Appropriate Public Education Act was introduced into the IDEA under section 504 in July of 1999. FAPE is an educational program designed to meet the specific and basic needs of an individual child with special needs. Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and 504 plans are examples of individualized plans specific to an individual child. These services are provided free of charge. -
No Child left behind Act. (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act was established in 2001 to ensure each state is meeting Federal requirements for State academic standards and state testing. Accountability, Flexibility, research-based education, and parent options are 4 pillars the U.S. Department of Education emphasizes within this bill.
https://www.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/grants-grant-management/every-student-succeeds-act-essa-implementation/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-esea/no-child-left-behind-act-2001 -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
IDEIA introduced Response to Intervention (RTI) into public education in 2004. RTI is used to determine the presence of a learning disability in a student. IDEIA also gives increased funding to provide interventions for students that do not necessarily require special education services -
Emotional Behavior Disabilities
In 2004 IDEA was revised to include supporting children with emotional behaviors in education. Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP), and Behavior Technicians are services provided for children with Emotional Disabilities within the public education system. FBA is used to identify behaviors to create a BIP plan. BIP plans address strategies for helping resolve behaviors. Children in EBD units are also eligible for IEP plans.
