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Brown vs Board of Education Topeka 1954
The segregating of classrooms based on race was declared unconstitutional -
Special Education Students still Segregated
Classrooms during this time were still completely segregated. Students with disabilities were completely segregated from regular education students in separate classroom settings. -
Mild Disabilities begin "Visiting" Regular Ed Classrooms
Around this time students with mild disabilities began to be included in the regular education classrooms however they were not considered to be students in these classrooms but rather they were considered as "visiting" these classrooms. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Established Section 504 which allows for reasonable accommodations such as special study areas, extra time, and assistance for students with disabilities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Primary focus of this act was to establish free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities and to give a voice to the parents of a child that has a disability. -
Regular Education Initiative - 1980's
This initiative completely eliminated separate classrooms except in circumstances for the extremely disabled and created a system where students could be included and supported within the general education classroom. This initiative was started as a means to try to correct the limitations of the EHA Act. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act was passed by Congress in 1990 and was the first act passed that protects Americans with disabilities and prevents discrimination in the workplace. This act protects students once they graduate from high school and are no longer protected under IDEA. -
EHA Act replaced with IDEA
In 1990 the EHA Act was replaced with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvements Act. This Act focused on 6 key principles: Due process, Equal protection, Zero reject, Free and Appropriate public education, Least restrictive environment, and Nondiscriminatory assessment. -
No Child Left Behind
Students must be held to high standards. This Act requires all schools receiving Federal funding to administer a statewide standardized test annually to all of its students. The Act also requires that states provide "highly qualified' teachers to its students. Congress passed this in 2001 and it was signed by President George W. Bush in January 2002.