Landmark Cases

IDEA

• Individuals with Disabilities Act est. 1975
• School Children 3-21 years old
• Four Sections (A,B,C,D)

Section A

• Basic Foundation of IDEA
• Definitions are formed throughout this section

Section B

• Lays out Educational guidelines
• By law, States are required to educate students with disabilities

Section C

• Recognizes need for identifying and reaching very young children with disabilities.

Section D

• National Activities Required
• Provides grants to improve educational and transitional services

Why Important?

• IDEAS is important information for teachers because they need to know that all students with disabilities deserve equal opportunities to learn as any other student they may have.
• If they see a student with disabilities being mistreated, then they can report that it violates the Individual with Disabilities Act.

Title IX & Sex Discrimination

• Established in 1972
• Any U.S educational programs or activities that receives Federal financial assistance

Title IX cont...

• No persons in U.S shall, on the basis of sex, should be excluded in participation in, or be subject to discrimination.
• Educational program has to be receiving Federal financial assistance.

Why Important??

• Teachers need to know about Title IX so they do not discriminate in their classroom
• Recognize when their is unequal opportunity in their school so they can report it
• Does not just pertain to sports
• Does not just pertain to women

Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Edu Act

• 1988
• Pertains to students who are traditionally underrepresented in Gifted and Talented programs
• economic disadvantage
• Orchestrates a coordinated program of Science based research, demonstration projects, and innovative strategies
• Build/Enhance abilities in Elementary and Secondary schools

Three primary Components

• National Research Center on Gifted & Talented
• Conduct research that ensures it informs educational policy and practice

Competitive Demonstration Grants

• Overall funds myst exceed $7.5 million before State grants awarded.

Why Important??

• This is also important because all children deserve an equal opportunity to learn
• Allows teachers to create innovative ways to help students be able to reach full potential in the classroom

Title I

• Improving academic acheivement of disadvantaged
• 1965
• All children in Elementary and Secondary Education

Requirements

• Ensure all children have fair, equal, and significant opportunities to obtain high quality education
• Reach Proficiency on State standards
• Affording parents substantial and meaningful opportunities to be involved

Why Important

• It is important for teachers to get parents involved in any way they can
• Parent involvement = Student involvement = Higher grades

Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act

• 1973-74
• Students with disabilities attending schools with Federal funding
• Federal law designed to protect the rights of individual with disablilites

Requirement

• Schools to have free appropriate public education (FAPE)
• Programs that receive Federal financial assistance

Why important??

• It is very important for teachers to know which students have 504 plans
• Teachers will better be able to aid students and make them feel safe and comfortable

Lau vs. Nichols/ SFUSD

• Nichols: 1974
• SFUSD: 2007-2008
• Pertains to children with no English speaking abilities

Nichols

• Sink or swim
• English should be basic language of institution
• NOT ACCEPTABLE
• School districts must take affirmative steps to rectify the language dificiency

SFUSD

• Requires continuing reporting by SFUSD
• ALSO...
• On-site visits of the ELL programs and development on an updated Master Plan

Why Important??

• Schools need to be aware of students who are non-English speakers
• Teachers need to provide equal opportunities for their students who do not use English as their first languages
• Better connect with students and make their education worth while