-
Board v. The Board of Education
A court case in which racial segregation in schools was deemed unconstitutional. This court case paved the way for similar cases involving the inequity and inequality regarding special education and children with disabilities and their lack of access to schooling. The foundation for the IDEA act's and other such cases was established from this case. Without this act, current resources that seek fairness and equity might not be as progressive as they are in current classrooms. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
A court case that established that those ages 6-21 with mental retardation were to be provided with a free and public education, as well as to be provided with an education and classroom paralleling that of the non-disabled students. This court case finally allowed disabled students to access an education and it served as a backbone for the Mills v. Board of Education case as well as special education today. Without this case, fair access to education might not be as advocated for as it is now. -
Mills v. Board of Education
This court case paralleled that of PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by ruling that children with all disabilities be provided with an education. This case also implemented procedures including: the right to a hearing with representation, access to all records, and written notices regarding the process. This court case built the foundation for the modern due processes within future education acts regarding disabilities. This allows students the support to advocate for their education. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This act established civil rights for those with disabilities and prevented agencies that were federally funded to discriminate against these same people. This act showed that individuals with disabilities are people too, and it helped guarantee them equality both in a public and educational setting. In terms of today, this act served as a massive stepping stone towards more progressive and inclusive education. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This act guaranteed students with disabilities have the right to free and suitable education (FAPE) and non-discriminatory testing, evaluation, placement. This also meant that these students were to be placed in the least-restrictive learning environment possible. These given rights still are mandated today, are are highly emphasized in current special education programs. These requirements promote person-first ideals and allow for students to now be properly accommodated and cared for. -
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments
These amendments established and increased special education services for children ages 3-5, giving them the same rights to education and legal protections as had been previously been given to older children. Although not having an affect on students K-12, this mandate increased the awareness and support towards the inclusivity and disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was renamed to IDEA. This act established transition planning in regards to The IEPS of students with disabilities. This act has provided the current support that allows students to adjust to life after high school, thus changing how teachers are to approach special education and student needs. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Reauthorization
This act re-established IDEA again. This reauthorization emphasized the access to special education and the expansion of the services offered within it. Resources provided to families and students with disabilities were improved and increased. This act further embedded the ever-rising support within special education, establishing a rise in effort within the community to continue expanding resources available to people with disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind Act
This act led to a large reform amongst schools in an attempt to promote academic achievements and school and teacher accountability. This act caused focus to change to holding everyone up to an academic standard. This act damaged the current educational system, causing teachers to teach to the test and concern themselves with grades more so then the students. The Common CORE standards that are currently upheld would also be developed from this act. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
This act reauthorized the IDEA act, and established early intervention services as well as more accountability. There was also a refocus on academic results, having testing for students with disabilities increased. This act has caused teachers to be held to a higher standard and be given more responsibility within the classroom. Despite this, the act also has caused a current refocus on academic materials and expectations- causing teachers feel the need to teach to the test again.