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Education Laws in the U.S.
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The Old Deluder Satan Act
One of the earliest known laws to be passed regarding education. The Old Deluder Act ordered that every township with 50 or more households appoint a teacher to instruct the children of the town in reading and writing. The wages would be paid by parents and inhabitants of the town. Towns of 100 households or more would set up a grammar school. The Old Deluder Act -
Massachusetts Compulsory Education Act
In 1852, the state of Massachusetts passed the first know compulsory education law in the nation. The law required that children between the ages of 8 and 14 attend school for at least 12 weeks a year, 6 of which had to be consecutive weeks. No other state adopted a similiar law until 1867. By 1900, 32 states had enacted a compulsory education law. Massachusetts Compulsory Education Act -
Creation of Department of Education
In 1867, the Department of Education was created and then demoted to the "Office of Education" in 1868. It's primary function initially was to collect information on school and teaching in the United States. It was a non-cabinet level office. Creation of Department of Education -
Watson v. City of Cambridge
The Massachussets Supreme Judical Court ruled that a child who was weak in mind and could not benefit from instruction or was troublesome to other students could be expelled. If the student was unable to take "decent, physical care of himself" he could also be expelled. Watson v. City of Cambridge -
Mississipi Last State to Enact Compulsory Education Law
Mississippi is the last state of the union to enact a compulsory education law. Alaska, while not a state yet, enacted a compulsory education law in 1929, then joined the union in 1959. Mississippi Compulsory Education Law -
Beattie v. Board of Education
In Beattie v. Wisconsin's Board of Education it was ruled that a child with cerebral palsy could no longer attend public school even though he had previously. The student was expelled from school because his condition disgusted teachers and students. Beattie v. Board of Education -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is founded by a group of students and professor Elizabeth Farrell. The group had 3 aims: 1) to unite those interested in educational problems of "special children; 2) the emphasize the education of "special children" rather than his or her identification; and 3) to establish professional standards for teachers in the field of special education. Council for Exceptional Children -
National Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC)
In May 1950, the National Association for Retarded Citizens was formed (later renamed ARC). This advocacy group was started by parents and aimed to procure educational services for children. Additionally, ARC members advocated for the right to work for adults with special needs. Families established state and local chapters across the U.S.. ARC -
Brown v. Board of Education
The ruling by the supreme court justices on May 14, 1954 was a unanimous decision that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. It was a major victory for civil rights and a decision that impacted the education of students with disabilities in years to come. Brown v. Board of Education -
Department of Public Welfare v. Haas
The Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that the state's compulsory attendance law did not apply to students who were "feeble minded" or "mentally deficient" because these students could not benefit from education. Department of Public Welfare v. Haas -
Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Act
This act (P.L. 88-156) granted federal funding over five year for support programs used by children with mental retardation. This act brings awareness to the needs of children with disabilities. Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Act -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-352) included provisions that affected education. Title VI calls for a withdrawal of federal financial support from any discriminatory school districts. Civil Rights Act Title VI -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
ESEA (P.L. 89-10) was passed as part of President Johnson's "War On Poverty" initiative. ESEA is an act that congress must reauthorize every 5 to 6 years. The act is a commitment to ensure that economically disadvanted students have equal opportunities in education. Federal funding is provided to Title I schools. Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 -
Congressional Investigation
In 1972, Congress ordered an investigation into the status of school-age children with disabilities. The investigation revealed that 2.5 million children, although attending school, were not receiving an appropriate education; 1.75 million children were receiving no education, and 200,000 children were institutionalized. 1972 Congressional Investigation -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
This landmark decision by the Pennsylvania Eastern District Court (343 F. Supp 279) said schools were violating the 14th Amendment Equal Protection clause by denying students with special needs an education. The court ordered LEAs to start teaching all children with special needs and develop an evaluation process. PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania -
Massachusetts Chapter 766 Law
Chapter 766 was signed into law in July, 1972 and would take effect two years later. Its aim was to guarantee that children with special needs between the ages of 3 and 22 are provided an education that suits their needs. EAHCA was modeled in part after this historic law. Massachusetts Chapter 766 Law -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (P.L. 93-112) is a civil rights law that offers protections to individuals with disabilities. The law prohibits discrimination by any program that receives federal funding, including school districts. Section 504 protects individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that affects a major life activity. Section 504 -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA, P.L 94-142) was enacted to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education. The act provided federal funding to states that offered special education services. This act was later renamed to IDEA. Under this act, the IEP was introduced. EAHCA -
Department of Education Organization Act
The U.S. Department of Education, as it's known today, is established (P.L. 96-88). It becomes a cabinet-level agency in 1981. It has 4 major resonsibilities: 1) establish policies relating to financial aid for education; 2) to collect data and oversee research on US schools; 3) identify major issues in education; and 4) enforce federal statutes. U.S. Department of Education -
Board of Ed. of Hendrick Hudson Central School Dist. v. Rowley
This Supreme Court ruling (458 U.S. 176) defined FAPE and states that a school is not required to provide every beneficial service to a student with a disability or the best education, only one where the student is able to have a meaningful benefit from their education (i.e., passing classes and advancing grade levels). Board of Ed. of Hendrick Hudson Central School Dist. v. Rowley -
Irving Independent School District v. Tatro
The Supreme Court defined (468 U.S. 883) related services in regards to medical services. Unless a physician is needed to provide medical services, the school district must provide them. Irving Independent School District v. Tatro -
Honig v. Doe
The Supreme Court ruled (484 U.S. 305) that a school had no right to unilaterally remove a student with disabilities from school if the cause is related to his or her disability. The Supreme Court refused to create a "dangerous exception" to the educational placement provision of IDEA. Honig v. Doe -
Assistive Technology Act
The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (P.L. 105-394), or Assistive Technology Act, was passed to promote access to assistive technology, and related services, for individuals with disabilities. Assistive Technology Act -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 101-336) is a civil rights law that offers protections to individuals with disabilities as well as equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations, and transportation. Americans with Disabilities Act -
Doe v. Withers
A civil jury trial that was heard by the West Virginia Circuit Court. They ruled that teachers and schools can be held accountable if they refuse to follow a student's IEP as well as be sued for damages. Doe v. Withers -
Reauthorization of ATA
In 1994, the Assistive Technology Act was reauthorized (P.L. 103-218). Major changes to the act included advocacy and outreach to underrepresented and rural populations. Additionally, the act called for six priority activities to ensure that goals and outcomes are met. Reauthorization of ATA -
Improving America's Schools Act (IASA)
The Improving America's Schools Act (P.L. 103-382) was a reauthorization of ESEA. One of the most significant aspects of this reauthorization was that it required state achievement standards for Title I and non-Title I schools be identical. The goal was to improve education outcomes for students in Title I schools by implementing more challenging standards. Improving America's Schools Act -
Reauthorization of IDEA
IDEA was reauthorized in 1997 (P.L. 105-17). Changes included expanding the definition of a child with a disability to include developmentally delayed children between the ages of 3 and 9. It also provided parents with a process to resolve disputes with schools and LEAs through mediation, IDEA 1997 also authorized additional grants for technology, disabled infants and toddlers, parent training, and PD. IDEA 1997 -
Hartmann v. Loudoun Board of Education
4th Circuit Appeals Court reversed decisions of a local hearing officer and a state hearing officer and found that the school was not providing its student with LRE by placing him in a self-contained classroom. Hartmann v. Loundoun County -
Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F.
The Supreme Court ruled (526 U.S. 66) that the cost of related services cannot prevent a school from providing them if it's determined that the student needs these services to be provided FAPE. Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act (P.L. 107-110) was a reauthorization of ESEA. It built upon the standards requirements of IASA and also focused on accountability for results and ensuring children were taught by highly-qualified teachers. The law increased federal spending on education and allowed states greater flexibility to use federal funds. No Child Left Behind Act -
Reauthorization of IDEA
This reauthorization (P.L. 108-446) included a change in the name of the law, and it is now known as Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). IDEIA was aligned with NCLB and increased accountability for student performance, including students with disabilities. Required use of scientific-based practices in special education and the definition of highly-qualified special education teachers is included in this act. IDEIA 2004 -
Reauthorization of ATA
The Assistve Technology Act was reauthorized in 2004. Previous goals of ATA included "building systems for improving access to" AT. The main change under the 2004 reauthorization was to provide direct aid to individuals with disabilities so that access to technology is ensured. Reauthorization of ATA - 2004
