-
The PARC case (standing for Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens) was a landmark court case that established students with intellectual disabilities have a right to a public education. It was a precursor to the later passage of federal special education laws. The winning argument set the precedent that all children, even if they have an intellectual disability or not, not only a physical disability, can benefit from a free public school education. -
This law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs, including K-12 schools and universities. It provides additional protections for students who may not qualify for special education services under IDEA. -
This law mandated a free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and individualized education plans. It was signed into law by U.S. president, Gerald Ford, and became the foundational ideal for ensuring students could receive a proper education that was tailored to their unique needs. -
This U.S. Supreme Court case more precisely established the legal standard for what constitutes an "appropriate" education under the 1974 EHA Law. The ruling specifically emphasized that individualized education plans must provide "meaningful" educational benefit to all students, particularly those with disabilities. This interpretation was made to ensure disabled students were receiving free pubic education, also while in classrooms alongside their nondisabled peers when possible. -
Though a key factor of the evolving IDEA education laws (from 1989 to later signed in 1990), it was the Daniel R.R. v. State Board of Education court case (1989) that explicitly defined LRE. This mandate states that students with physical or intellectual disabilities have the right to be included in academic and extracurricular activities at school. Their education environment must be suited to their needs and promote inclusion in regular classrooms to the maximum extent possible. -
Signed into U.S. law by President George H. W. Bush, this legislation replaced the EHA act by adding more precise wording to keep states accountable, while ensuring the right to FAPE, or Free Appropriate Pubic Education. This law protects children with disabilities by ensuring they receive the same opportunities for a proper education to their nondisabled peers. The updated wording of the law compared to EHA added six elements that outline the duties of teachers, parents, and the state. -
Rosa's Law, signed by President Barack Obama, changed the language used in federal statutes from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disability," promoting more respectful terminology and reducing social stigma, especially within schools and extracurricular environments with other children. The law was named after Rosa Marcellino, a nine-year-old girl with Down's Syndrome who, with her family, were fighting to push more inclusive language in Maryland, their home state. -
Enacted by the 114th U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama, ESSA reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which included provisions for students with disabilities. It mandated a reduction in the previous over-reliance of standardized testing seen throughout public schools, and promoted equitable educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. It makes the states accountable for ensuring feasible goals for all students. -
My small, nature-themed wedding to my college sweetheart, Thomas. We were married at Falls Lake on a campsite that marked our first little outing together several years prior. -
We bought our first, newly renovated home in early 2020, and moved in by that April. We're still in the same quaint place and love calling North Raleigh home! -
I didn't have a traditional path to college after my high school graduation in 2017, but knew I wanted at least one college degree as pursuing higher education was always a goal of mine. I graduated with a three-year research degree with Wake Technical Community College with concentrations in art history and British Literature. -
The day my first child, Sophia, was born. -
We found out we were pregnant with baby #2 right before my daughter's first birthday. A couple weeks after that positive test we found out we'll be welcoming another little girl in December, 2023!