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Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children was founded, and is, the largest organization to advocate for an advancement in education for children with disabilities. This mission is accomplished by providing parents and educators with information and resources regarding special education while also advocating for policies, standards and professional development. Recent policy advocation are towards improved funding within special education and aid in higher education. -
Brown v. Board of Education
During the time of the civil rights movement, Oliver brown filed a lawsuit against the board of education after his daughter was denied from attending an all white school. The verdict of the case ended in the favor of Brown, and racial discrimination and segregation in schools was deemed unconstitutional. This later gave way for parents of children with disabilities to similarly fight for equality of special education in schools. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This act was placed to help impoverished families with equal education by providing funding for resources and instructional materials. Schools that did not have sufficient funds for their special education programs would be provided with a higher amount. As this act set high standards, students, with and without a disability, tested every two years for an assessed improvement in reading and math skills. -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act removed discrimination of people with disabilities in any federal program, assistance, or employment. Section 504 of this act prohibits discrimination of disabilities within public schools - elementary and secondary. This also includes that students eligible, are be able to receive free appropriate public education (FEPA).
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Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) had required for public schools to provide an equal education to any child with a disability. This act wanted to provide children with a school experience nearly like students without disabilities; including for some being in a general classroom. As this was going to be planned through evaluations, parents would be able to give their input, and with the addition of this act, be able to challenge any decision. -
Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
Within this case, Rowley filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education due to how her school had rejected her request of being provided with an interpreter. The verdict of the court was in favor of Rowley and that despite her doing good in class, with an interpreter she would have been excelling. Special education benefited in this with her being the first student winning a case with a disability that must have been given the proper aid that she need under the IEP program. -
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prevents discrimination on the basis of a person being disabled. Title II of this act helps protect students within their education by requiring that they not be excluded solely because of their disability - this includes in making modifications for them. While similar to the Rehabilitation act, the ADA is more flexible with its funding and even allows those under the Rehabilitation act to also qualify for this one the same. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
With the EAHCA being its predecessor, IDEA provides students with disabilities the same opportunities. However, IDEA is made up of six components - some being Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) in where students can take classes with other students, and Appropriate Evaluation where students are assessed to the best of their ability. Idea also focuses more on the child and their individualized education rather than what disability they have.
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No Child Left Behind
No child left behind is a reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which aimed to continue for children to close achievement gaps. Schools were provided with continued and flexible funding for student programs that effectively allowed their success. In advancement for special education, assignments and learning were to have modifications for children. -
Assistive Technology Act
This act helped provide students with disabilities with technology that would help them succeed in education or even employment. The addition of technology they can be given may even be life-long as it helps them in their daily lives. The 2004 revision of the act made it more focused to provide easier access for children and people.