Landmark Cases

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act

• Became law 1990
• Aims to protect cildren with disabilities
• Mandates that all children, regardless of disability, are entitled to free public school
• Multiple school requirements, including IFSP's and incorporation of disabled students into the greater school population when possible
• Teachers need to know how to address and help disabled students and need to know their responsibilities therein

Title IX

• Became Law in 1972
• Protects students from discrimination based on sex
• Inspired by unequal treatment of female teachers and students by schools
• Programs and activities which receive ED funds must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner
• Teachers must understand the importance of equality based on sex

Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act

• Passed in 1988
• Addresses needs of underrepresented GT students
• 3 Main Components
• Incentivizes schools to expand GT offerings
• Teachers should know so as to help potentially unnoticed GT students

Title I

• Passed 1965
• Geared to help disadvantaged students
• Ensures all children have significant opportunity to obtain high-quality education and proficiency on state academic assessments.
• Schools must meet needs of underachieving students in areas of poverty and ensure equitable treatment of minorities
• Must meet state standards
• Teachers need to know the importance of meeting standards and ensuring equitable treatment

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 & 1974

• Passed in 1973/1974
• Protects rights of disabled students
• Discrimination existed in schools
• Requires special education, amongst other special considerations
• Teachers must be aware of disabled students special needs in order to accomodate them

Lau v. Nichols & SFUSD

• Occurred 1976 & 2008
• Protection of ELL students
• Resulted in Consent Decree that incorporated a Master Plan that requires bilingual-bicultural education for the English Language Learners
• Teachers must understand ELL students needs in order to provide education that they can both understand verbally and culturally