Special Education Law

Brown vs. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

This U.S. Supreme Court civil rights case addressed the issue of segregation of public schools. This case ruled that the students had the rights to equal educational opportunities and that segregated schools should not be apart of public education. After this case, parents of children with special needs began to bring lawsuits against their school districts for discriminating against their children just because of their disabilities. http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm)

Title VI of Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Apr 9, 1965

Title VI was added to the ESEA by Congress to address the education of individuals with special needs. It also provided financial assistance to states that need English language instruction and bilingual services.
http://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/education/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-of-1965/

Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Mar 5, 1971

PARC sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania because there was a state law that allowed public schools to deny students who did not have "a mental age of 5 years." So students with disabilities were often denied public education. This case ruled that schools are to provide free, accessible education for all students regardless of disability or impairment. http://www.rootedinrights.org/15321-revision-v1/

Mills v. Board of Education of The District of Columbia

Mar 25, 1972

This is one of the two federal court cases that laid the foundation for future special education laws. The court case ruled that all children had to attend free public school and that each child has a right to education. http://usedulaw.com/438-mills-v-board-of-education-of-the-district-of-columbia.html

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

May 22, 1973

This act is a federal law that protects the privacy of student records and information. Parents are also allowed access to any records that the school collects of their child. https://ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Sep 26, 1973

Section 504 is a civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142)

Sep 14, 1975

This act required schools to provide an equal access to education for individuals with special needs and that they are put into the least restrictive environment. Schools must follow these requirements in order to receive federal funding. Two years later, in 1977, the final regulations were made. http://commons.trincoll.edu/edreform/2012/05/the-education-for-all-handicapped-children-act-a-faltering-step-towards-integration/

The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986

Nov 29, 1986

This amendment extended the purpose of the act to include children ages birth-5. It guaranteed FAPE to children with disabilities ages 3-5 and established early intervention programs for children with disabilities ages 0-2. Lastly, it developed an IFSP for each family with an infant/toddler with disabilities. http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/Laws/specialed.php

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Jul 26, 1990

The American with Disabilities Act was the first comprehensive act that addressed the "needs of people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications." https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/history/35th/1990s/ada.html

Re-authorization of IDEA (1997)

Mar 5, 1997

This legislation guarantees a free and appropriate education for all students with disabilities and was aimed for improving early interventions for pre-schools. There are thirteen classified disabilities under this legislation. https://www.socialworkers.org/archives/advocacy/updates/1997/idea.htm

No Child Left Behind Act

Jan 8, 2001

The No Child Left Behind Act is an update of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. It scaled up the federal role in holding schools accountable for student outcomes. http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html

Re-authorization of IDEA (2004)

Mar 5, 2004

Several revisions were made from IDEA in 1997. In 2004, IDEA was changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) and revisions included FAPE, placements, transition plan ages, etc. http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/law/idea.regs.sumry.chngs.pdf