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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court ruled that American state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality. It helped established the precedent that “separate-but-equal” education and other services were not equal at all. (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka) -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The act provides federal funding to primary and secondary education, with funds authorized for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and parental involvement promotion. The act emphasizes equal access to education, aiming to shorten the achievement gaps between students by providing federal funding to support schools with children from impoverished families. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_and_Secondary_Education_Act) -
Mills v. Board of Education District Columbia
A lawsuit filed against the District of Columbia in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The court ruled that students with disabilities must be given a public education even if the students are unable to pay for the cost of the education.The case established that "all children are entitled to free public education and training appropriate to their learning capacities". (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mills_v._Board_of_Education_of_District_of_Columbia) -
Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first major legislative effort to secure an equal playing field for individuals with disabilities. This legislation provides a wide range of services for persons with physical and cognitive disabilities. Those disabilities can create significant barriers to full and continued employment, the pursuit of independent living, self-determination, and inclusion in American society. (https://webaim.org/articles/laws/usa/rehab) -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
All public schools that were accepting federal funds were required to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. Public schools were required to evaluate children with disabilities. They needed to create an educational plan with parent input that would emulate as closely as possible the educational experience of non-disabled students. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_for_All_Handicapped_Children_Act) -
Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments
These amendments reauthorize the Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) and includes a thorough agenda to better the services for young special needs children and their families.This act extends free and appropriate education to children with disabilities, ages 3-5. It also establishes early intervention for infants/ toddlers with disabilities, ages birth to 2. -
Honig v. Doe
The case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a California school board had violated the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA).They suspended a student for violent and disruptive behavior that was related to his disability. It later became known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Schools cannot expel students for behaviors related to their disability. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Honig-v-Doe) -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This act is a civil rights law to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability. ADA disabilities include both mental and physical medical conditions. The ADA also requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americans_with_Disabilities_Act_of_1990) -
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of eligible students with disabilities. Schools must find and evaluate students suspected of having disabilities at no cost to parents. Schools needs to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum. (https://youtu.be/3XMndYNEGFA) -
No Child Left Behind Act
This act requires schools in every state to develop routine assessments of students’ academic skills. While it does not stipulate that these assessments meet a national standard, the law does oblige each state to come up with its own criteria for evaluation. No Child Left Behind provides incentives for schools to demonstrate progress in students with special needs. It also allows for students to seek alternative options if schools are not meeting their academic, social or emotional needs. -
IDEIA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act is a United States law that was signed by President Bush. It mandates equity, accountability and excellence in education for children with disabilities. It allows districts to use a response-to-intervention model for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability. It also increases federal funds to provide early intervention services to students who do not need special education or related services.
