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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of education was a significant U.S supreme court case that declared segregated schools as unconstitutional. In addition, this court case was also the first occasion in which the federal government defended victims of inequality and prejudice in public schools, sparking future efforts to protect students with disabilities. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Secondary Education act was designed to assist low income families by providing them with financial assistance and access to quality education. For example, the ESEA permitted the establishment of programs such as Free and Reduced Lunch which eliminates hunger in students, allowing them to focus more on their school work. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was an important case that fought for the equal opportunity for students with disabilities to pursue quality public education. This case claimed that it is unconstitutional to deprive students with disabilities from their right to quality education. -
Mills V. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
Mills V. Board of Education of the District of Columbia is another court case that was filed because children with disabilities were being excluded and denied access to public school education. This court case demanded alternative education services. For example, intermittent monitoring of each child’s status and progress. Furthermore, this court case also demanded that schools describe “curricula, objectives, teacher qualifications, and supplemental services that were needed.” -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act prevents discrimination against students with disabilities in public school education programs. In addition, this act also defines terms such as handicapped, disabled individual, and appropriate education. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, also known as the mainstreaming law, promotes the inclusion of students with disabilities in less restrictive learning environments. In addition, this act also requires schools to provide students with disabilities individualized education programs, and free access to an appropriate public education. Furthermore, this act also defines a “least restrictive environment.” -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act forbids discrimination and prejudice towards people with disabilities, particularly in private areas/ establishments. In addition, this Act also protects people with disabilities right to equal opportunity in numerous areas. These areas include employment, accommodations, telecommunications, transportation, and public services. Furthermore, this act expanded the definition of disability to include people who have AIDS. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, formerly known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, grants students with disabilities the right to free and appropriate education, individualized education plans, parent involvement, inclusion in less restrictive environments, confidentiality protection, modifications, special accommodations, related services, duration of services, transition services, and more. Video IDEA -
The No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act provides an outline on how to improve the performance of students in elementary and secondary schools. This act prevents students from being impacted by failing schools. Students are expected to be proficient in subject areas such as reading, math, and science.
NCLB Article -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act plays various important roles. For example, it allows response-to-intervention models from being implemented, increases the federal funds for early intervention services, raises special education licensure standards for teachers, prevents inconsistent representation based on race and ethnicity, and eliminates short term objectives in Individualized Education Plans. Video IDEIA
