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In 1954 the landmark case Brown v. The Board of Education passed outlawing segregation in schools. This case was significant in special education history because it proved that segregation of any kind was unconstitutional. Therefore segregation based on disability was illegal in schools. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) was a law signed by Lyndon B. Johnson to improve access to quality education for underprivileged students. Title III of this act provided funds for special education programs in disadvantaged areas that did not previously have the money to provide special education. -
PARC v. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was a lawsuit where the Pennslyvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) sued the commonwealth over a law that allowed schools to deny free education to children with mental disabilities. The judge ruled the law unconstitutional and that Pennsylvania was required to give all students access to a free education regardless of disability. This was a foundation case in passing the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. -
Mills v. The Board of Education of the District of Columbia was a class-action lawsuit suing the District of Columbia for suspending, expelling, or excluding students with disabilities from schools without due process violating their 14th amendment rights. The case was decided in favor of Mills stating that every child had to right to a free or affordable public education regardless of disability. This was a foundation case in passing the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first disability civil rights law that was enacted in the United States. It prohibits discrimination based on disability in any federal financial assistance programs. This law means that all students attending a public school are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 was a law passed by Congress to mandate that all public schools have to provide free and appropriate education to all students. It also includes the right to the least restrictive environment (LRE), an individualized education plan (IEP), and that the parents have the right to view their child's records and be involved in planning meetings. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by George H. W. Bush in 1990. It made discrimination based on disability illegal in employment, public accommodations, transportation, services offered by governmental entities, and other areas. This law was significant in special education history because Title II of the law requires educational institutions to make educational opportunities, extracurricular activities, and facilities open and accessible to all students. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was originally the Education for all Handicapped Students Act (EHS). In 1990 it was reauthorized and changed a little, so Congress changed the name as well. IDEA added two disability categories: autism and traumatic brain injury. IDEA also provided transition services in addition to all the provisions provided in the Education for all Handicapped Students Act. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was signed into law by George W. Bush in 2001. It is a reform of the ESEA meant to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged, disabled, and minority students. It is controversial because students have to take benchmark tests every year. Advocates say that it is good because they will see if IDEA is being enacted or not. Others worry that NCLB will reduce LRE if schools raise their achievement scores by putting all special education students together. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act is a reauthorization and revision of the original IDEA. It requires that students with disabilities be taught by a highly qualified teacher who is certified in special education and core subjects. The law introduced new methods to recognize and classify students. IEP's changed to no longer require short-term goals, and transition plans had to be thought out with an end goal in mind.