Special Education Law Project-Aida Russell

Brown vs. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

This was a notable case that was heard in the Supreme Courts. They reached a verdict that it was unconstitutional to segregate different races in public schools. The main focus of this case was black students being segregated from white students.

Elementary and Secondary Act

Apr 9, 1965

This law required that adequate resources were provided to give underprivileged children the same quality education opportunity as their privileged peers.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Sep 26, 1973

Section 504 of this law gave civil rights to people with special needs or disabilities. Section 504 programs are required to be offered in every school district nationwide.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Aug 21, 1974

This law placed protection on the privacy of the educational records of students. Even though it was signed into law in August, it did not go into effect until November 19, 1974.

Education for all Handicapped Children Act

Nov 29, 1975

This law was meant to provide all children with mental and physical disabilities with the same education opportunities as their peers.

Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District vs. Rowley

Jun 28, 1982

This was the first special education court case to be heard in the Supreme Court. The Court's verdict was that all students who are in special education must be provided with public educational programs that meet their specific needs, and they must be able to educationally benefit from those programs and other instruction that is given to them.

Handicapped Children's Protection Act

Aug 6, 1986

This law gave more rights to parents in the development of their children's IEP goals.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act passed.

Oct 30, 1990

This is a modified version of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. It is also known as IDEA.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997

Jun 4, 1997

This was an amendment of the original IDEA passed in 1990. This amended version required all states to provide a free and appropriate public education to all students with disabilities.

No Child Left Behind Act

Jan 8, 2002

This law required that states test students in reading and math in the 3rd grade through the 8th grade, and then again one time in high school. However, the No Child Left Behind Act was officially expired n September 30, 2007.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

Dec 3, 2004

This is an amendment of the IDEA of 1997. This amended version put focus on early intervention and put in place that it was required that school districts hire only highly qualified special education teachers.