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The first right to education case in the country. PARC claimed that PA state laws denied students with disabilities access to free public education.
Ruling: The laws in question were unconstitutional and the state must guarantee free public education to students with intellectual disabilities. Parents will be involved in education, and students will be placed in the most integrated environment possible. -
First law protecting children and adults against discrimination due to a disability. Prohibits discrimination on the basis of a person's disability in all programs receiving federal funding. Required an accommodation plan or 504 form, and school districts are required to have a 504 coordinator. -
IDEA is viewed as the bill of rights for children with exceptionalities and their families. IDEA guarantees a free appropriate public education, services related to Special Education, assures the rights of children with disabilities and their guardians are protected, assists states and districts within providing education, and assesses and assures the effectiveness of education. -
Extends free and public education to children with exceptionalities aged 3-5. Permitted early intervention services for families with children who have exceptionalities from birth to age 2, and created the individualized family service plan (IFSP).
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Identified autism and traumatic brain injury as discrete disability categories. Added rehabilitation counseling and social work as related services, and required an Individualized Transition Plan (ITP) by age 16. Repealed immunity from states violating IDEA.
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Employers must make reasonable accommodations so that an employee with a disability is not discriminated against. Mass transit systems must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Businesses may not discriminate against patrons with disabilities, and telephone companies must offer services to those that are hearing or speech impaired. -
All students, including those in Special Education, are expected to eventually demonstrate proficiency in math, science, and reading by 2014. Scores must take into account the factors that may affect a student's test scores in proficiency such as disability status. Teaching must then be adjusted to accommodate for this to increase proficiency. -
Changes short-term goals in IEPs to long-term goals. All students are required to participate in state and district-wide assessments with accommodations or alternate tests as according to IEPs. Special educators must be highly qualified according to state standards. -
Expands the definition of excluded from major life activities to reading, concentrating, thinking, and major bodily functions. A student does not qualify for these protections if the disability is minor or lasts for 6 months or less. -
Requires the annual testing of students in grades 3-8 and once during high school. Allows states to adopt common core but it is not required. Eliminates highly qualified requirements from No Child Left Behind. Data is still disaggregated according to the factors that may impact how a student is doing in school. Identifies which schools are the low-performing ones, and requires evidence-based interventions.