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In Brown, school children from four states argued that segregated public schools were inherently unequal and deprived them of equal protection of the laws. The Supreme Court found that African American children had the right to equal educational opportunities and that segregated schools “have no place in the field of public education.”
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In 1966, Congress amended the ESEA to establish a grant program to help states in the “initiation, expansion, and improvement of programs and projects . . . for the education of handicapped children.” In 1970, Congress enacted the Education of the Handicapped Act (P.L. 91-230) in an effort to encourage states to develop educational programs for individuals with disabilities. According to the National Council on Disability:
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In Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia (1972), hereafter Mills, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia held that students with disabilities are entitled to an education, and that education cannot be denied based on the accommodations’ additional cost to the school
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A 504 plan is designed to provide accommodations for students with physical or mental impairments that significantly impact major life activities. It’s not just about academics—it’s about creating an environment where your child can succeed on their terms. Understanding how a 504 plan works and its benefits can empower you to advocate effectively for your child’s needs.
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The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law enacted in 1974 that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to any public or private elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school. It also applies to any state or local education agency that receives funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education.
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The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (sometimes referred to using the acronyms EAHCA or EHA, or Public Law (PL) 94-142) was enacted by the United States Congress in 1975. This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities.
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The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush. It aims to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities and to ensure that they have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The act covers various aspects of public life, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government services
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The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 aimed to improve educational outcomes for all students through accountability, standardized testing, and increased federal funding for disadvantaged schools.
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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children, supports early intervention services for infants and toddlers and their families, and awards competitive discretionary grants
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The Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI) aims to establish consistent educational standards in English language arts and mathematics across the United States, ensuring that all students are prepared for college and career success
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ESEA offered new grants to districts serving low-income students, federal grants for textbooks and library books, funding for special education centers, and scholarships for low-income college students. Additionally, the law provided federal grants to state educational agencies to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education.