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The U.S. Supreme Court decided that it was unconstitutional for educational institutions to segregate children by race. This landmark ruling would have far-reaching implications for special education arena ( KU, School of Education. 2018).
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In the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ruling, the U.S district Court favored and sided with students with intellectual and learning disabilities. Students with disabilities would be placed in publicly funded schools where there educational needs would be met with thorough evaluation. ( KU, School of Education. 2018).
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In the Mills v. Board of Education made a ruling that it is unlawful to deny students with disabilities educational opportunities. ( KU, School of Education. 2018).
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Congress passed the first special education law for students with physical and mental disabilities. The law stated that public schools must provide students with disabilities with the same opportunities in their education as other students. ( KU, School of Education. 2018) ( Masters in Special Education, 2018).
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President Ronald Reagan signed the Handicapped Children's Protection Act, which gives parents of children with disabilities to have a developed Individual Education plan (IEP) for their child.( KU, School of Education. 2018).
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This law ensures special needs students receive free public education in the least restrictive environment necessary. Traumatic brain injury and autism were added as new disabilities. ( KU, School of Education. 2018) ( Masters in Special Education, 2018).
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The Education for All Handicapped Children's Act became IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Along with that, President Bill Clinton reorganized the act, providing all students with access to the same curriculum. ( KU, School of Education. 2018).
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The No Child Left Behind Act, schools were accountable for all students academic performance. The Act also provided incentives for schools to show progress in students with disabilities. ( Masters in Special Education, 2018)
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In 2004 Congress amended IDEA stating early interventions for students, accountability and improved educational outcomes. Standards were also raised for special education teachers in their qualifications.
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In November 2015 the 40th anniversary of IDEA was celebrated, a landmark that provided children/students with learning disabilities the same opportunities in education and attend the same public schools as other children.
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The University of Kansas. School of Education. (2018) https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/idea-timeline Masters in Education. Program Guide. (2018). https://www.masters-in-special-education.com/lists/5-important-special-education-laws/
