Special Education Laws Through the Years.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954

Brown v. Board of Education came about when African American children from 4 different states felt that the education system was unequal. With this law, "Supreme Court found that African American children had the right to equal education opportunities and segregated schools have no place in the field of public education."

Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

1965

With this law, under privileged children were given the opportunity to have access to quality education.

Pennsylvania Assn. for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth (PARC) of Pennsylvania

1971

PARC was a class action suit that was filed for people with different disabilities who were being segregated from normal public schools. With this class action suit, no state could deny an individuals right to education based on their disability.

Family and Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA)

1974

This act allows parents to protect their children's privacy in certain situations. It also allows parents have access to all educational records on their children. It also requires written permission to share educational records with people who need access to those records.

Public Law 94-142: The Education for All Handicapped Children

1975

Public Law 94-142 is the law that ensures education for all children with disabilities. This also ensures that it is free and accessible in all states. This law will be later changed to IDEA.

Public Law 98-199

1983

This law known as Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1983.Congress changed the law to include and expand on incentives for preschool special education, early intervention that may be needed, and also transition programs.

IDEA

1990

This law originated from law 94-142, and was renamed IDEA. With this law, schools must evaluate students with disabilities or who are thought to have disabilities at no cost to the parents. With the evaluation, students can then receive appropriate education to better help them succeed in school.

The Assistive Technology Act

1998

This act ensures that persons with disabilities are provided with assistive technology so they are able to be included in education, employment or day-to-day activities. Each state receives a grant to help fund this act.

No Child Left Behind

2002

Is the act that held schools accountable for the students success or nonsuccess. More federal input was seen throughout this act. A major element with this act was the need for assessment taking to measure what children knew.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

2015

This act is a revision of ESEA. It was signed by President Obama. This act has allowed more flexibility to the previous No Child Left Behind. It also is transparent on what was expected of the students and their parent/guardians, and communities.