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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)⎫ The case established that education as a right of all children and that it must be made available on equal terms. Brought about the term “equal opportunity”. Required the integration of all students including segregated special education students. Was the basis for future rulings that children with disabilities cannot be excluded from educational opportunities. -
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Litigation Impacting Special education
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Hobson v. Hansen
Schools utilized tracks in which students were placed in tracks of study based on IQ tests given in elementary school. These tracks limited educational opportunities to students.
The court declared the tracking system, unconstitutional because it was basing these on only intelligence tests not ability. Established the need for mutliple measures of students for placement.
Found unconstitutional because it discriminated against African American and poor children by placing them in lower tracks. -
Diana v. State Board of Education
The court ruled that children cannot be placed in special education on the basis of culturally biased tests or tests given in other than the child's native language and only one assessment. Required non-biased and multiple assessments aministered in the child’s native language to determine placement for academic services. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Class action law suit that established the right to a free public education for all children with mental retardation. The decision declared that individuals in state institutions have the right to appropriate treatment within those institutions.Paved the way for FAPE legislation. -
Mills v. Board of Education D.C
Children had been excluded from the public schools due to learning and behavior problems. The school district claimed they did not have funds to provide special education programs for the students. The court ruled that financial problems do not supercede the needs of children with disabilities. Schools were ordered to readmit students and provide appropriate services.
Established that services must be provided regardless of the districts ability to pay for the services. -
Larry P. v. Riles
The court ruled that IQ tests used to place African American children in special classes were inappropriate because they failed to recognize the children's cultural background and the learning that took place in their homes and communities. The court ordered that IQ tests could not be used as the sole basis for placed children into special classes.
Established the need for multiple assessments before placing a student in special education programs.
