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The Brown v. Board of Education decision ruling led to a growing understanding that all people, regardless of race, gender, or disability have a right to a public education. This ruling helped lay the foundation for the 1975 federal law (now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) requiring access to a free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funded primary and secondary education emphasizing high standards and accountability. -
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States, prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in federally-funded or assisted programs. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 set the stage for the Americans with Disabilities Act. -
Under FERPA, parents are permitted to access information collected, maintained, or used by a school regarding their child. -
Enacted in 1975, this required all public schools to provide equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities. In addition, public schools were required to evaluate children with disabilities and create an educational plan that would closely emulate that of a non-disabled student (with parent input). In addition, the act required administrative procedures so parents of disabled children had the ability to dispute decisions made regarding their child's education. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that all children with disabilities are expected to receive free appropriate education. IDEA infers that children be provided with early intervention and special education. -
The EAHCA is amended to include the Handicapped Children's Protection Act. The amendment mandated public schools give children with disabilities nondiscriminatory access to all education and food programs. The amendment stipulates that schools allow parents of children with disabilities to participate in the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush and prohibits discrimination and guarantees people with disabilities have equal opportunities as others in the areas of employment, public accommodations, transportation, and services offered by the government. -
An update of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the No Child Left Behind law held schools accountable for student outcomes, including kids in special education. The goal of NCLB was provide more educational opportunities for students in poverty, students of color, students receiving special education services, and those who speak and understand limited or no English. -
Under the Obama administration, IDEA was amended through Every Student Succeeds Act. This act replaced the previous "No Child Left Behind" law and modified elements regarding standardized testing and upholds critical protections for disadvantaged and high-need students.