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Special Education Law Timeline (January 1, 1954 – Present)
In this timeline, you will learn about ten relevant events that impacted the United States law in favor of special education rights. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The case originated with a lawsuit filed by the Brown family, a family of African-Americans, after their local public school district refused to enroll their daughter in the school closest to their home, and required her to ride a bus to a blacks-only school further away. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional and the movement of equality in education started. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was a law that funds primary and secondary education, emphasizing high standards and accountability. As mandated in the act, funds are authorized for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and the promotion of parental involvement. -
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
It is a right guaranteed by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and IDEA, which postulates that each child who has a disability and needs special education, and related services will receive a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). -
Rehabilitation Act
Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) of 1973 was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the United States. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance. Also, works together with ADA and IDEA to protect children and adults with disabilities from exclusion, and unequal treatment in schools, jobs, and the community. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Originally known as the Education of Handicapped Children Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that supports special education and related service programming for children and youth with disabilities. This law was passed in 1975 reauthorized in 1990, 1997, and later amended in 2004 as Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). It was recently reauthorized in 2015. However, professionals still refer to it as IDEA. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
Commonly known as PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act is a federal law enacted by the United States Congress that required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education, and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a federal law that provides money for extra educational assistance for poor children in return for improvements in their academic progress. It is the most recent version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. -
Rosa's Law: Intellectual Disability (Public Law 111-256)
Rosa's Law: Intellectual Disability (Public Law 111-256) is a United States law which replaces the utilization of the descriptions/words "mental retardation" in law with "intellectual disability". -
Endrew F. vs. Douglas County School District (RE–1, 580 U.S.)
The Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District case was a legal case in which the United States Supreme Court held that under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must provide students a reasonably calculated education to enable the child to make progress appropriate of the child’s circumstances.
