Special Education Laws

  • Plessy Vs. Ferguson

    Plessy Vs. Ferguson
    In this early case of Plessy v. Ferguson the Supreme Court declared it was legal to segregate individuals and have separate facilities so long as they are equal. There is no integration of students with disabilities.
  • Section 504

    Section 504
    This law is important because it was the first civil rights statute for people with disabilities. This law also helped in the formation of the American Disability Act. It was important to special education students because it was the first nationwide law that stated that students with disabilities should be provided with a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Today's IEP's reflect this ruling.
  • Public Law 94-142

    Public Law 94-142
    This act ensured a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for all children with disabilities. Free Appropriate Public Education.
  • Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
    The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was amended and called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  • IDEA Reauthorized by Clinton

    IDEA Reauthorized by Clinton
    President Bill Clinton signs amendments to the IDEA. More students with disabilities are being intergrated into the general education classrooms. A big success for special education.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    No Child Left Behind Act
    This was originally known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This act promotes high achieving standards for all students, including those with disabiliities,. The act states that each child will reach proficiency in math and reading by 2014.
  • IDEA Reauthorized by Bush

    IDEA Reauthorized by Bush
    Signed by President George W. Bush,the reauthorization of the IDEA allowed changes to be made regarding special education. Research-based methods must be used for instruction and determining eligibility. As a result many districts introduced Response To Intervention tiers of instruction.