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Brown v. Board of Education
This ruling established that "separate but equal" education was not constitutional. The case is best known as the catalyst that began the integration of black and white schools, but it also gave families of students of disabilities a foundation to advocate for their educational rights. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
Also known as the ESEA, this act (among other things) provides funding to primary and secondary schools to create and improve upon special education programs. -
P.A.R.C. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Similar to Mills vs. Board of Education, this case also affirmed that all schools were required to provide an equal education to students with disabilities. P.A.R.C. sued the B.O.E. over a start law that allowed schools exclude children who had reached the age of eight but were not judged to have the mental capacity of a five year old child. -
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
The ruling in this case established that schools are required to provide a free and equitable education for all students with disabilities, regardless of the cost of that education. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This is a civil rights law that provides support for more students with disabilities than are protected under IDEA (2004) and provides students with disabilities appropriate educational services. This law established the guidelines for 504 Plans. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This law provided schools with federal funding for special education, established procedural safeguards to protect the rights of students with disabilities and their families, and established the use of IEPs. -
Armstrong v. Kline
Many students with disabilities tend to regress during the summer months when school is not in session. The ruling in this case established the extended school year (ESY), going beyond 180 days, to benefit students with disabilities. -
Timothy W. v. Rochester School District
The ruling in this case established a zero-rejection policy. Students with disabilities could no longer be denied an equal education under the law due to the severity of their disability, regardless of cost, and regardless of whether or not an objective benefit to the student can be established. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Also known as the ADA, this law protects people with disabilities and their families from discrimination with regards to all walks of life (education, employment, etc). It also expands the definition of what is considered a disability (such as people with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and those who suffer from depression). -
No Child Left Behind Act
This law was passed in response to the perceived low academic achievement of students in K-12 schools. The law was highly controversial for many reasons, among which was the establishment of widespread standardized testing. The aim of NCLB was to provide a higher standard of education for all students. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
Also known as IDEA, this law has been one of the most important and influential pieces of legislation for students with disabilities. Among other things, his law requires schools to provide students with disabilities with an education that is on-par with the education of non-disabled students, promotes non-discrimination, requires IEPs for students with disabilities, incorporates RTI into special education, and provides funding and safeguards for these students and their families. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
Also known as ESSA, this act is a re-authorization of ESEA meant to address issues with NCLB. ESSA works primarily to transfer the federal authority established by NCLB back to the state level. It also continues to challenge academic standards and expands accountability for ELLs. -
Sources
Inclusion: Effective Practices for All Students by McLeskey, Rosenberg, and Westling The History of Special Education Law
by Pete Wright, Esq. Justia
