Timeline of Laws: Special Education

By rlasley
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    -emphasizes equal access to education
    -aims to shorten the achievement gaps between students
    -provides federal funding to support schools
    set up the foundation for equal education
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    -first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the U.S.
    -504 forbids organizations/employers of denying people with disabilities an equal chance to receive program benefits/services.
    *It clarifies that individuals with disabilities need to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services.
  • Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

    -educational entitlement for all U.S. students with disabilities
    *ensures special education students free and appropriate education
  • 94-142-Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    -granted FAPE to all children and young adults aged 3–21.
    *allows students with special needs to have free education until they are 21
  • 99-457-Amendments to the Education of All Handicapped Children Act

    -All legal rights provided under Education of All Handicapped Children Act, and parental involvement are to be provided equally to special needs preschool children.
    *Ensures that parents of special needs children are involved and aware of their child's academic progress
  • The Individualized Education Program-IEP

    -individual plan, created by child's parent and district personnel who are knowledgeable about the child's needs.
    *Gives parents of special education students more say in their child's development.
  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-IDEA

    -Ensures students with disabilities are provided with FAPE tailored to their individual needs.
    *Gives students a more individualized plan, which allows for better tracking of the students IEP goal.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act-ADA

    -prohibits discrimination based on disability
    *Gives more opportunities for fair access for the disabled.
  • The No Child Left Behind Act

    -students with disabilities get high-quality education
    -assessment results and state progress objectives must be broken out by student groups, including disabilities
    *Enacted to ensure that no student group is left behind.
  • The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    -law holds schools accountable for how students learn and achieve
    * provides an equal opportunity for disadvantaged students