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Plessy v. Ferguson
In this early case of Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court declared it was legal to segregate individuals and have separate facilities. Therefore as long as they are equal then there is no integration of students with disabilities. -
Brown v. Board of Education
During this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the segregation of African-Americans in public schools is unconstitutional and unequal. This overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson case and provided a Civil Rights movement to provide equal access to minorities. It was helpful to students with disabilities because this case inspired educational reform all over the country. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This act was passed as a part of Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and has been the most far-reaching federal legislation affecting education ever passed by the United States Congress. It helped provide resources to help ensure that disadvantaged students had access to equality education. It also emphasizes equal access to education and establishes high standards and accountability. This legislation will later become the No Child Left Behind Act. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (PARC)
This case involved students with mental retardation being denied their contsitutional right to equal protection under the law. This was important to special education students because the court ruled that students with mental retardation had to be granted an education similar or equal to their non-disabled peers. -
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
This case involved the court establishing due process procedures to ensure all students had equal rights. This was a procedural law that was later included into public law. The Board of District of Columbia denied access to education for sutdents who were special needs. The court found that free public educational services or a suitable private alternative that was paid for by the Board of Education, must be delivered based on the students' individual needs, regardless of the costs. -
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
This a a Federal law that is designed to protect the privacy of students' school records. The law outlines parental rights concerning their child's information. These rights transfer to the child when they turn 18 or move onto secondary education. This law gives parents and eligible children access to all personally idetifiable information that was collected and maintained regarding their child. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) Public Law 94-142
This act ensured a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for all children with disabilities. This law outlined that schools needed to put into place a procedure so parents of children with disabilities could dispute decisions regarding their child's education. (Procedural Safeguards) -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was amended and called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
George bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA is a law to protect people with disabilities from being discriminated against. It is designed so that people with disabilities have equal opportunities in five areas. These areas are employment, public services, public accommodations, telecommunications, and miscellaneous provisions. It was important to special education students because it protected them not only in school but in the workplace as well. -
No Child Left Behind
This was originally known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This act promotes high achieving standards for all students, including those with disabiliities,. The act states that each child will reach proficiency in math and reading by 2014. -
IDEA 2004
Signed by President George W. Bush, the reauthorization of the IDEA allowed changes to be made regarding special education. Research-based methods must be used for instruction and determining eligibility. As a result many districts introduced Response To Intervention tiers of instruction. -
President Obama allowes waivers for No Child Left Behind
President Obama allows states to request waivers for flexibility in meeting some of the requirements in the NCLB act. This is due to the fact that the NCLB act has yet to be reauthorized. Through the waiver schools can show student improvement (AYP) through multiple means a benefit for students with disabilities.
