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Brown vs. Board of Education
The United States Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to segregate students. This case set the foundation for students with disabilities to seek free public education. -
Elementry and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
This law was passed as part of the "War on Poverty" legislation as a way to improve equality in education for students from low income families by providing federal funds. -
Pennsylvania Association For Retarted Children (PARC) vs. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
This case recognized that children with mental retardation, now known as Intellectual Disability (ID), deserved the right to have a public education in the state of Pennsylvania. This case was fought in court against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This law set the cornerstone for equality to students with disabilities. -
Mills vs. Board of Education of District of Columbia
This case states that students with disabilities must have the right to a public education even when they are unable to pay. This case fought for the right to free and public education and training appropriate to these students' learning capacities. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This law protects individuals from discrimination despite their disability. No individual must be excluded from participation of, denied benefits, and by no means, be subject to discrimination under any program that is federally funded. -
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
This law was signed by President Ford stating that parents are allowed to have access to information that is collected, maintained, and used by school districts concerning their child. -
Daniel R. R. vs. State Board of Education
This case included a 6 year old with Down Syndrome to be placed in a special education class all day after general education teachers stated he needs constant attention. The case concluded that schools must decide if students can be placed in a general education classroom with supplementary aids. It was settled that the student needed to spend a certain amount of time in a general education class to see if they could succeed in it, or if, indeed, they needed further special education support. -
Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA)
The ADA (PL 101-336) provides individuals with disabilities civil rights that prohibit discrimination and guarantees the same opportunities to employment, purchasing goods and services, and government benefits. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 101-476) guarantees students with disabilities a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), which is made to fit their needs. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
This law was proposed by President George W. Bush which says that all students will be proficient in both Math and Reading. The No Child Left Behind Act reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), with $1 billion each year to help under-privileged children. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004
President George W. Bush signed the reauthorized version of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 108-446), which protects the rights of students with disabilities. New requirements came into effect, such as hiring highly qualified special education teachers and less paperwork with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
