In the Brown vs. Board of Education case, four states argued that segregated public schools were unequal and deprived students of equal protection.

Brown Vs. Board of Education (1954)

This of course referenced to African American students. the supreme court stated, "Have no place in the field of public education"

After this case, the parents of children with disabilites began filing lawsuits against their school districts for excluding and segregating their children.

Amy Rowley was a deaf child whose parents requested for a qualified sign-language interpretor for her classes. The school refused saying she was acheiving academically and socially.

Board of Education Vs. Rowley (1982)

The court concluded that this disparity between Amy's achievement and her potential indicated that she was not receiving a "Free appropriate public education"

This case stated that the acts requirement for free appropriate public education was to open the door of public edu. to handicapped children on appropriate terms than to guarantee any particular level of education once inside

Micheal Panico was a first grade student with special needs. During this year Micheal went to see a specialist who recommended a "highly specialized setting."

Burlington school comm. Vs. Dept of Edu (1985)

The court ordered the school to pay for Micheals private school and they refused. Which is against the BSEA order.

after going back and forth The court concluded that the parents should be reimbursed because the private school was the child’s appropriate placement.

John Doe was the first and only court case decision in public discipline cases. John had a very difficult time controlling his anger. After several incidents John was suspended for five days which led to a proposal to exclude from school permanently based on needs.

Honig Vs. Doe (1988)

This brought up the question do expulsions and indefinite suspensions of children for conduct related to their disabilities deprive them of their right to free appropriate public education?

The supreme court issued a powerful pro-child decision in this case, however schools continue to remove handicapped children from school for behaviors related to their disabilites.

Shannon Carter was classified as learning disabled in the 9th grade. Her parents did not agree with her IEP and asked for a review. While they waited they placed Shannon into a private school. Which was not her least restrictive environment.

Florence County School Dept. Vs. Carter (1993)

This questioned whether a court order reimbursement for parents who withdrew their child from public school that did not follow FAPE under the IDEA and place child in private school that is substantial but not completely in compliance with the act?