Landmark Cases

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Ed. Act

• 1975
• Eligible children with disabilities
• Makes available a free appropriate education and ensures special education and related services to children with disabilities
• Teachers have necessary tools to educate children with disabilities effectively

Title IX and Sex Discrimination

• 1972
• Prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs that receive federal financial assistance
• Teachers must operate under these guidelines
• Ex: equal opportunities in athletics, discrimination in school STEM programs, discrimination based on pregnancy, etc.

Javits Gifted and talented Students ed. act

• 1988
• Dedicated specifically to gifted and talented students (does not fund).
• Purpose: to orchestrate a program to enhance the ability of schools to meet the special education needs of gifted and talented students.

Title I

• 1965
• Purpose: to ensure that all students have equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education
• Achieve by closing the achievement gap between high and low performing students
• Teachers should improve by using state assessments to help students meet state standards

Section 504

• 1973
• School districts required to provide a "free appropriate public education."
• Protects the rights of students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. - programs that receive federal funding.

Lau v. Nichols

• 1974
• Non-English speaking students (English learners)
• Identifies and provides access to specialized programs and services.