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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Public Law 89-10
This Law initiated the federal government's role in providing for and protecting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, so they would have equal access to the public education system as other children do. A grant program was created that allowed states to create and improve programs for students with disabilities. This law established many programs for public school, including the free and reduced lunch system for all students. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act Public Law 93-112
This Law prevents any organizations that use federal funds, from discriminating against those with disabilities, strictly on the basis of their disability. This Law applies not only to public education but also to employment of those with disabilities and in the social and health services. This Law has provided many more people with disabilities the opportunity to have greater access to employment, college, and community services. -
Educational Amendments Act Public Law 93-380
This Law grants federal funds to the states to initiate programs for exceptional learners, including those who are gifted and talented. These students have special needs as well to accommodate their education levels. This act also grants families and students the right of due process in the special education placement, ensuring equal and fair treatment with the judicial system. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) Public Law 94-142, Part B
This law requires all states to provide a free and appropriate public education to all children with disabilities ages 5 to 18. These students are required to have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which addresses their special needs and outlines intervention plans for the child. This law was the first to define the idea of least restrictive environment, in which the student is provided the best learning environment possible for them. -
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments- Public Law 99-457
This law required that states must extend the free and appropriate public education to those with disabilities that are between the ages of 3 to 5. This law also established early intervention programs for infants and toddlers that had disabilities, that were between the ages from birth to 2 years old. Before this point there were no laws for children under the age of 5 with disabilities to be addressed. This now covered many more children. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Public Law 101-336
This law prohibited against discrimination towards those with disabilities in the private sector. Those with disabilities are to be treated equally to those without a disability, including their rights to have equal opportunities to employment and public services, accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Public Law 101-476
The IDEA replaces Public Law 94-142, and establishes the idea of "people-first" language when referring to those with disabilities. This law extends the services for those with disabilities to include social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. New categories of disabilities are established, and bilingual education for students with disabilities are now provided. Transition programs are established for students and confidentiality is strengthened for students and parents. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
This was created to provide a framework of how to improve the performance of America's schools, while ensuring that children are not trapped in failing schools. NCLB increases school, district, and state accountability for all students and it provides school choice for parents with children in failing schools. There are yearly standards of accountability, and as long as those are met there is an increased amount of flexibility as to how federal funds are used. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) Public Law 108-446
The IDEIA makes improvements to the 1990/1997's IDEA and introduces the model of Response to Intervention (RTI) for determining learning disabilities. This improvement act raises the standards for special education licensure. The zero reject policy went into effect, stating that no child with disabilities can be excluded from education. There was also an increase in federal funds to provide more early intervention services to children who aren't identified as needing special education services.
