Important Events in Special Education Litigation

By esmith5

  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    This lawsuit determined that schools need to provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities and cannot ecxlude any student from receiving an education.

  • Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia

    This case began when students with disabilities being excluded, suspended, and expelled from public schools. As a result, those advocating for the suspension, expulsion, or reassignment of students with disabilities in District of Columbia public schools must now afford them due process of law.

  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Section 504

    This law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by entities that receive federal funds and ensures that a child with a disability has equal access to all educational opportunities.

  • Education Amendments of 1974

    This case established the Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1974, mentioning FAPE for the first time, and FERPA, allowing parents to review their students personal file and records (along with the student if they are over 18).

  • Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

    This law determined students with disabilities have rights to the following: Free and appropriate public education (FAPE), least restrictive environment (LRE), appropriate accommodations and modifications during assessments, an IEP, to view their child's school records, the right to be informed before any changes are made in the student's education placement or IEP.

  • Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

    This civil rights law prohibits any discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the workplace, public transportation, and public accommodations.

  • No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

    This is a law that applies to all students in the U.S. Under this law, all parents are entitled to flexibility with the placement of their child's choice of school and school district.

  • IDEA

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 legally requires students with disabilities to be taught by highly qualified teachers and allows 15% of special education funds to go to general education to assist unidentified students with disabilities.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008

    This law redefinend the word "disability" to more broadly encompass impairments that limit major life activities and amended Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

  • Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District

    This case concluded that, under the IDEA, schools must offer an IEP appropriate to the student's needs and circumstances and a free, appropriate public education.