Influential Legislation for Special Education Services

  • Public Law 88-164

    Allowed funding for training of professionals to work with children with special needs and for research and demonstration for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and deafness.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    This act states that it is illegal to deny to participation in activities or programs solely because of a disability.
  • Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act)

    Assured that all children with disabilities had a free public education available to them.
  • Public Law 99-457 (Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986)

    Federal funds were allocated for states to develop plans and programs for children with disabilities and their family from birth on. The title was later changed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  • Americans with DIabilities Act of 1992

    This act insured that people with disabilities are protected by the Civil RIghts Act of 1964.
  • No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

    The purpose of this was to hold schools and educators responsible for bringing students to a minimum level of competency and requires schools to present test data to prove their effectiveness. This causes problems with students with disabilities because they may not learn at the same rate as other students.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004

    IDEA 2004 is the re-authorization of the original legislation. The improvement of this act includes that all special education specialists must have the proper certifications, that IEP standards reflect scientifically, and a transition plan must be included in in all IEPs for students ages 16 and younger if deemed necessary.
  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

    This act was used to stimulate economic in a number of different areas. Some large funds were provided to the states under IDEA to improve the quality of early intervention services.