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In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark civil rights decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case as the justices ruled that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. This case brought awareness to the fact that "separate-but-equal" education was actually not equal. The families of students with disabilities realized that their children were also excluded and segregated and began to bring lawsuits against schools for this discrimination. -
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the ESEA (P.L.89-10) into law. This landmark legislation substantially increased federal funds for public education through programs such as the Title I which provided financial assistance to schools with low-income and disadvantaged students. This law focused on improving the quality of education (libraries, textbooks, laboratories, research and training) and ensuring that disadvantaged children had equal access to quality education. -
The 1966 Amendments (P.L. 89-750) amended ESEA by adding the Title VI which provided funds for the education of handicapped students. The states received federal funds to initiate, expand and improve programs and projects designed to meet educational needs of handicapped children. -
This case was brought on behalf of several children with mental disabilities represented by the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC). Some students were considered "uneducable" and some denied public education if they did not reach the mental capacity of a 5-year-old by the age of 8 years old. The court ruled that all children must receive free public education, parents had to be involved in educational placements, and hearings and means to solve disputes be created. -
This civil action (Civ. A. No. 1939-71) was brought on behalf of seven children who were denied public education for being "exceptional" (mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, or with behavioral issues). The case exposed the practice of excluding children with disabilities from public schools and the inefficiency of the public system to educate them. It was ruled that public education and suitable alternatives be provided by the Board. It was a leading case to other lawsuits. -
In light of the Civil Rights movements in the 1960s and 1970s, President Nixon signed into law the Vocational Rehabilitation Act (P.L.93-112). Section 504 of this Act prevents discrimination against people with disabilities in any program receiving federal funds, such as public schools. The law ensured equal opportunity for students with disabilities to participate in school activities, as they had to be provided with accommodations and necessary assistance for their learning. -
In 1972, a Congressional investigation found that millions of children did not receive appropriate education and legislation was introduced to address it. In 1975, President Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to guarantee free public education to children with disabilities in a least restricted environment and a daily free meal, improve identification and education of these children, protect due process for families, and to fund states to comply with the law. -
In 1986, President Reagan signed into law P.L. 99-457 as an amendment to the Education of the Handicapped Act to expand free early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. The law required professionals and parents to develop an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to provide services for young children and their families; The plan also had to meet family needs with training, counseling and home visits. The states received funds to implement this system. -
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in areas of public life: jobs, schools, transportation, and public and private places open to the general public. For instance, the ADA requires commercial facilities to provide accessibility (such as ramps) and Telecom companies to provide service that allows people with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate over the phone. -
In 1990, the P.L. 94-142 was amended and became IDEA (P.L. 101-476) and was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. IDEA`s focus was on the individual`s whole life and future by promoting research and technology and transition programs to prepare students for further education, employment, and independent living (individual transition plan). IDEA added traumatic brain injury and autism to the disabilities category, and added social work and rehabilitation counseling services. -
President George W. Bush signed into law NCLB. It required schools with federal funds to apply annual standardized test to all students; Schools were judged if students were making adequate yearly progress (AYP) and had to develop AYP goals and report scores per groups, including students with disabilities. NCLB required that all students reached proficiency by the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Schools and teachers were penalized if they did not perform so they began to "teach to the test". -
IDEA was amended in 1997 and in 2004, but in 2004 it became IDEIA (P.L.108-446) and was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Among other changes, IDEIA increased the focus on accountability and improved outcomes by emphasizing early reading programs, positive behavioral interventions and supports, early intervention services, inclusion of assistive technology (universal design), and highly-qualified special education teachers. The law changed the focus to the child`s strengths. -
The ESSA (P.L.114-95) was signed into law by President Obama replacing the NCLB. It keeps the annual standardized testing requirements from NCLB, but States may balance time spent on instruction and on tests. Students with disabilities take the same assessments as other students (one percent of students, accounting for ten percent of students with disabilities, can be excused from the standardized test). States must implement plans to combat bullying against students with disabilities.
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