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First school for disabled children
The first school for disabled children, the American School for the Deaf, opened in 1817. This school opened the door of education for students with special needs at a time when society was ignoring disabled people. https://www.disabilitymuseum.org/dhm/edu/essay.html?id=38 -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
This Act supports many initiatives that help low-income families access high-quality education programs. It applies to children who need additional support. -
The Parc Case
The Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) versus Commonwealth of Pennsylvania case initiated the right of students with mental retardation to receive free public education. It laid the foundation for the right to an education for all children with disabilities.
https://pubintlaw.org/cases-and-projects/pennsylvania-association-for-retarded-citizens-parc-v-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania/ -
Mills v. Board of Education
Mills extended the right to special education to all children and that no child could be denied a public education because of mental, behavioral, physical, or emotional handicaps or deficiencies.
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/mills-v-board-education-district-columbia-1972 -
Education For All Handicapped Children Act
The EAHCA required states to provide free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities ages five to eighteen. It requires individualized education programs (IEPs). It was the first to define the least restrictive environment.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/94th-congress/house-bill/7217 -
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments
This Act required states to extend free and appropriate education to children with disabilities ages three to five. It also established early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth to two years old. https://www.congress.gov/bill/99th-congress/senate-bill/2294 -
Honig versus Doe
This case was important to students who display behavioral issues as a result of their disability. It clarifies that schools cannot expel students for behavior related to their disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children’s Act was replaced by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It provides all students with access to the same curriculum. It extends special education services to include social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. It added two new categories of disability: autism and traumatic brain injury. https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/idea-timeline -
Cedar Rapids versus Garret F.
This case stated the importance of providing comprehensive support to students with disabilities to ensure they can access educational opportunities equally with their peers. It pointed out that IDEA requires school boards to provide continuous nursing services to disabled students who need them during the school day.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cedar-Rapids-Community-School-District-v-Garret-F -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
This Act was passed on January 8, 2002. Its purpose is to improve the quality of education in the United States elementary and secondary schools. The law emphasized closing achievement gaps between all students including students with disabilities and English language learners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qk00niNQwA -
Winkelman versus Parma City School District
In this case, parents are entitled to prosecute IDEA claims on their behalf independent of their child’s rights.
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2006/05-983