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Brown vs. Board of Education
Federal Court case sparked by segregation. The ruling determined that separate education was not equal and that all children deserved the opportunity to be educated. Added because it sparked an era of civil rights, bettering the lives of millions of Americans. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Calls for the use of research-based practices to help students reach targeted skills. Constantly revised until replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Added for the precedent it set of creating standards for student learning. -
Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 protects and student that has a disability, but does not have and IEP. Specifically, the law prevents discrimination against anyone with a disability. Included because the 504 plan has been such a staple of special education and is still used today. -
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Protects the privacy of all student records. Allows only authorized persons to acquire and view a student's academic records. Included based on the importance of informational privacy. Students do not need to make their disabilities known to all to get the education they deserve. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Allocated funds to school for the education of students with disabilities. Mandated that curriculum for general education students also be taught to those with disabilities. Added to the timeline due to its importance in the classroom. Even though it was later revised, the act provided students the ability to learn with their peers. -
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act
Students who required assistive technology are granted access to it under this law. Schools are allocated funds to provide assistive technology. Added because of the large step forward it took. Giving students access to the technology and resources they need to succeed is a big part of special education. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act prevents discrimination against anyone with disabilities in schools and extends to the workplace and general society. Included because of the foundation it sets for students' post-secondary life. Students with disabilities can work while in school to reach the goal of becoming employed without fear of discrimination. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Ensures that students with disabilities receive required services for their education. Requires the students to have an eligible disability as determined by a multidisciplinary team. IDEA set the IEP process, which is a huge part of special education. -
No Child Left Behind
Aimed to hold schools accountable for the progression of their students via annual testing to determine adequate yearly progress. Added because even though it had issues, it placed more emphasis on special education students and their educational progress. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
The most recent revision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Repealed No Child Left Behind. States are required to adopt challenging standards for education. ESSA worked towards inclusion for students in need of special education.