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White House Conference
The White House Conference of 1910 was the first conference to focus on children and youth with disabilities. The conference helped to serve more students with disabilities in a public school setting. -
The Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children also know as the CEC is a professional organization that helps advocate for children with special needs. The CEC helps to develop educational programming, offers teacher education, and assists in policy making and lobbying efforts. -
Brown V. Board of Education
The Brown verses the Board of Education case was a major victory for civil rights. The decisions of the case affected societal rights for minorities and aspects of educational law and procedures. One major outcome of this case is that it prohibited segregation in public schools based on race. -
Education of the Handicapped Act
The Education of the Handicapped Act helped to consolidate and expand federal grant programs. Also, it would help fund projects at the state and local levels. Additionally, this law helped higher education develop programs to train teachers. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The PARC verses Commonwealth of Pennsylvania stated that the state was delaying constitutional obligations of supporting a public education. The final decision in this case resulted in provided a free appropriate public education to children ages 6 to 21 with mental retardation. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act stated that federal funds could not be withheld due to someone having a disability. Section 504 was the first federal civil rights law to protect people with disabilities. -
Education for all Handicapped Students
The Education for all Handicapped Students put into place several major components of IDEA including development of an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), education would be provided in the LRE (Least Restrictive Environment), and established procedural safeguards. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act used to be called EAHCA. Two new disability categories were added which included autism and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). The language used was changed from "disabled student" to "student with a disability." Also, this act called for the provision of transition plans for students 16 and older. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination. It focuses on employment and public services. ADA reinforced and extended requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 were the most significant amendments added to the law since 1975. They reorganized the structure of IDEA and added new content to the IEP. In addition, they offered mediation to parents before a due process hearing. -
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) holds states and schools accountable for producing gains in student achievement in the areas of reading and math. The law requires rigorous systems be put into place to close the achievement gap. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
The IDEA Improvement Act increases the accountability for student performance. In addition, it encouraged use of the response-to-intervention model (RTI) to help determine eligibility. Finally, it requires all special education teachers be certified in special education and meet the requirements for a highly qualified teacher.