Special Education Law Timeline

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education
    "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka... the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously (9–0) that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution," https://www.britannica.com/event/Brown-v-Board-of-Education-of-Topeka
  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    This case was a lawsuit by the organization PARC against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, because mentally disabled children were not receiving adequate education despite fulfilling the age requirements, and because they were cognitively delayed.
  • MILLS V. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

    MILLS V. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
    "Mills v. Board of Education... was one of two important federal trial court rulings that helped to lay the foundation that eventually led to the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)," https://www.usedulaw.com/438-mills-v-board-of-education-of-the-district-of-columbia.html
  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (also known as the Vocational Rehabilitation Act)

    Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (also known as the Vocational Rehabilitation Act)
    This act allowed for more federal money to be allocated for vocational skills training to individuals with severe disabilities.
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

    Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
    "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 and any state or local education agency that receives funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education." https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/ferpa.html
  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
    IDEA, " is a piece of American legislation that ensures students with a disability are provided with Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individuals_with_Disabilities_Education_Act
  • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

    Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
    "Title I applies to private-sector employers who employ 15 or more individuals, state and local governments, and employment agencies and labor organizations. The law prohibits these employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment. One of the key non-discrimination aspects of Title I is the requirement to provide reasonable accommodations for employees and job seekers with disabilities," [https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/laws]
  • No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

    No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
    The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This act was highly controversial for many Americans.
  • Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization of 2006

    Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization of 2006
    This reauthorization clarified many misconceptions and helped create most of the Special Education system in the United States today. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/final-regulations/.
  • IDEA Reauthorization (83 FR 31306)

    IDEA Reauthorization (83 FR 31306)
    This reauthorization changes the dates of compliance for children ages 3-5 from July 1st, 2020 to July 1s, 2022. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/july-3-2018-83-fr-31306/