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Education of the Handicapped Act (P.L. 91-230)
This act was previously named The Elementary and Secondary Education Act which was passed in 1965, but then revised to Education of the Handicapped Act in 1970. The Education of the Handicapped Act encouraged states to create programs for students with disabilities. This act was intended to help give the parents the exclusive method to search for remedies to any difficulties that may come about when looking for fair education for their disabled child. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Challenged constitutionality of excluding individuals with mental retardation from public education and training. The state was not allowed to “deny to any mentally retarded child access to a free public program of education and training.” This case didn’t take long to settle. The state agreed to provide a free public education for these children. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
The fact that handicapped children had been excluded from public schools led to this case. This state had no choice but to provide satisfactory and adequate alternative education services. The courts require the schools to describe several things like the curriculum, objectives, teacher qualifications, and supplemental services that were need areas they would eventually be influential during the drafting of P.L. 94-142. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA) Public Law 93-112 Section 504
VRA defines handicapped, defined appropriate education, and disallows education against students with disabilities in federally funded programs. This act includes rules focused on rights, advocacy, and protection for people with disabilities. Section 504 works with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to protect children from exclusion and unequal treatment in schools and the community. Video: https://youtu.be/ULmCGI0tndI -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) Public Law 94-142
This act is enacted as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This act is known as the Mainstreaming Law and requires states to provide a free public education for children, who are ages 5-18, with disabilities. This act required that Individualized Education Programs (IEP) be put in place and first to define least restrictive environment. An example of an accomplishment from this act is that children with disabilities are being educated in regular classrooms. -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
Amy Rowley was a fifth grade who was deaf but used a hearing aid so that she could hear her teacher. Even though she wasn’t the top student in her lass, she was doing fairly well. Courts ruled that P.L 94-142 states need to provide sufficient support for students to benefit from a public education at the same level as the peers, who aren’t disabled, that are in the same classroom. Website: https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/ussupct.rowley.htm -
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments (Public Law 99-457)
This act requires states to extend free and appropriate education to children who are between the ages 3 to 5. This act has also put in place intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities who are between to ages of birth to 2 years old. This act enhances the capacity of families to meet the special needs of infants and toddlers who are handicapped. -
Honig v. Doe
Helped individuals who are going through emotional and behavioral disorders who have academic and social problems. This case ruled that schools could not expel children for behaviors related to their disability. The “stay-put” provision was implemented and this allowed a handicapped child to stay in his educational placement. -
Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Public Law 101-476)
This requires the development of transitional programs for students with disabilities by the age of 16. This also requires the states to help students with disabilities by educating them and helping them to transition to employment. The states will also provide transition services and services that include assistive technology, rehabilitation services, and social work. Website: https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-policy/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act -
Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. Garret
This case went to the Supreme Court. The court ruled that public school systems had to fund nursing care for children who are disabled. Garret F. was paralyzed from the neck down from an accident as a child. He required nursing services to attend his class, but the school district wouldn't accept financial responsibility for his services, so this case went to court. When this case was over, it was concluded that the school district is required to provide proper school health services.
