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Brown v. Board of Education
Integration into public schools was introduced by Brown v. Board of education. This case led the way to a growing understanding that all people, regardless of race, gender, or disability, have a right to public education. The idea emphasized by this law is that the only way to protect students constitutional rights to a free and equal public education is to ensure that a diverse group of students learn together. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act became the statutory basis upon which early special education legislation was drafted (The legislative history). The ESEA did not make it law to educate students with disabilities (Peterson, 2007). However, it did give grants to state schools and institutions that "devoted to the education of children with disabilities" and it would also lead to various amendments important to special education. -
Rehabilitation Act Amendments Section 504
The 1973 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act is often thought of as the most significant legislation that was passed in regards to citizens with disabilities (Woods, 2006). These new amendments extended equal civil rights to include people with disabilities, which included the right to an education as stated in Section 504 (Woods, 2006). -
Educational Amendments Act Public Law 93-380
This Law grants federal funds to the states to initiate programs for exceptional learners, including those who are gifted and talented. These students have special needs as well to accommodate their education levels. This act also grants families and students the right of due process in the special education placement, ensuring equal and fair treatment with the judicial system. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act made sure that students with disabilities are educated in all public school districts (Peterson, 2007). EAHCA included providing free appropriate education, special education to children ages 3 to 21, supplemental services, due process, zero reject, and least restrictive environment (Woods, 2006). -
EAHCA Amendments
EAHCA's amendments include an early intervention program to include infants and toddlers (0-3 years program), authorized grants, clarified parental rights, and allowed interagency agreements to allow for transitioning students (Woods, 2006). The amendments aren't fully implemented until September of 1994, but the amount of children in this part of the EAHCA has grown significantly since. -
American with disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was a landmark in disability rights legislation because it extended the rights beyond that of Section 504. This act also extends the rights of people with disabilities into society by ensuring equal rights regarding accessibility, accommodations, employment, and transportation, which requires schools to ensure accessibility and accommodations. -
IDEA Reauthorization
In 1990 EAHCA was renamed individuals with disabilities act (IDEA) and in 1997 it was reauthorized and included statewide levels and changes to IEP requirements. IDEA states that low expectations "plague" special education and the 1997 amendments aimed to provide the tools needed to "ensure that all students with disabilities receive a high quality education" (Vohs & Landau, 1999). -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was an ESEA reauthorization, focused mainly on key areas including science, mathematics, and language arts (Woods, 2006). This includes the requirement to have all students to be proficient in reading and math by 2014. States are required to submit annual yearly progress documentation and there are repercussions to those schools that are not showing annual yearly progress on a regular basis (Woods, 2006). -
Individuals with disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) Public Law 108-446
The IDEIA makes improvements to the 1990/1997's IDEA and introduces the model of Response to Intervention (RTI) for determining learning disabilities. This improvement act raises the standards for special education licensure. The zero reject policy went into effect, stating that no child with disabilities can be excluded from education. There was also an increase in federal funds to provide more early intervention services to children who aren't identified as needing special education services.
