-
Brown v. Board of Education
This court case ruled that segregation in public schools was now illegal. This case had an unanimous ruling in the high court, which ruled that both African American schools and Caucasian schools were not equal and reversed the ruling in the Plessy v. Ferguson case of 1896. Today, public schools and institutions can not discriminate based on race, religion, or ethnicity.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html -
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
This act enabled families access to their students records, as well as, to protect the privacy of their child's educational records. Meaning, the state or federal government cannot give the students records to a third party without permission or consent of the parents/ legal guardians.
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/leg-history.html -
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
FAPE is an educational right for students with disabilities, students who are handicapped, and students who do not have a disability. FAPE is under IDEA, more specifically under section 504. This section enables students to receive an individualized educational program, access to the general education curriculum, meet standards based on the states guidelines, and more ideas.
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html -
Larry P. VS. Riles
This court case ruled that the use of IQ tests was not enough to have a student join special education or EMR (educable mental retardation) classes. In addition, African American students were being evaluated and recommended for special education based on these discriminatory IQ tests. Today, students are being evaluated in multiple ways to be recommended for special education services, rather than depending on one test that doesn't measure much.
https://infogr.am/Larry-p-vs-riles-1979 -
Rowley Decision VS. Board of Education
This court case ruled that conditions under IDEA had to provide students with disabilities "reasonably likely" to sufficient benefits. This means that the school is not obligated to be responsible for the definite outcome of the student with disabilities,but is responsible for taking proper action and steps for that student to excel academically.
http://massadvocates.org/billsview/ -
An Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)
This plan was created so parents would be involved in their child's educational needs and goals when it came to special education. This plan enabled the parents and family to have support when it came to the students learning, and took into account what the family wanted for their child. This plan includes; who will pay for services, what services are needed, PLEPS, and much more.
http://www.specialeducationguide.com/early-intervention/the-who-what-why-of-an-individual-family-services-plan-ifsp/ -
Rachel H: The least restrictive enviroment is determined by looking at four factors
In this court case, the following four aspects were granted to students with disabilities after Rachel's parents went against the school. One was the educational benefits of the general education classroom. Two, what benefits were there for Rachel to interact with peers without a disability. Three, what impact did Rachel make towards her peers and teacher. Lastly, how much would it cost for Rachel to be in a gernal education classroom.
www.specialedlaw.us/education/important-cases.php -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
This law was passed by George W. Bush during his presidency in 2002. This law was established to close the achievement gap between minority and low socio-economic status (SES) students versus their scholarly peers. In return, this impacted the size of classes, learning, teaching, and school improvement (teachers, academics, resources, etc).
http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html -
The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
This act was established to provide students with disabilities the accessibility to services regarding their academic needs. In addition, this act made early intervention, special education, and services provided to children from birth to twenty one years of age. This act also illustrated that school systems have the ability to pursue an evaluation without consent of the parents, if the school does a due process hearing.
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
President Obama signed this act, which replaced No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This new law was created to help students excel in school and eventually graduate. Drop out rates have gone drastically down, high school graduation rates had increased over the last few years, and more students are being enrolled and accepted into colleges and universities. All these components combined have provided students with the necessary steps to a bright future.
https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=ft
