The outcome of the case was, a person shall be “given access to an adequate, publicly supported education,” regardless of the disability of the child. The court also ruled that a claim of insufficient resources could not be used as an excuse to exclude a child from free public education.
This case caused the system to realize that if you do not educate children that it is highly unlikely that they will be successful in life and that free public education is a right that EVERY child should have. Mills vs. the Board of Education led the way for the development of personalized educational programs for children with special needs. It was realized that children with special needs deserve the right to a free education, but they need specialized, intentional teaching and programs that can help them become successful students.
Sources:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/bks/lawbk/ch3.history.pdf
http://www.wrightslaw.com/law/caselaw/ussupct.rowley.htm
Wow! They were suspended or expelled? That is awful! Not only are these children already considered "different" by their peers, but then the school ostracized them. Luckily, we have come quite a distance from this, thanks in great part to this very case. Though we still have a ways to go to reach full equality, I feel that we really are working towards it with the best of intentions.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine living in the time when you did not know that not all children were the same and that instead of knowing that they had a disability that could not be helped, people thought they were a behavior problem. I still think we over use suspension even today. I mean why should a student be able to go home when they do something inappropriate. Isn't that what they want.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this case set the precedent for the future of special education. Everyone now understands and accepts that children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate, public education. Not only that, they are entitled to individual education plans that address their unique needs. Isn't it amazing that at one point, these beliefs we take for granted were not universally accepted and that someone(s) had to pave the way for progress to be made?
ReplyDeleteI am glad we read about this court case and I believe it expanded the Pennsylvania (PARC) decision. I think three provisions were important: a free appropriate education, an Individualized Educational Plan and due process procedures. This court case laid the groundwork for future federal legislation in the area of special education.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that at one time in our history children didn't receive adequate education based on their dissabilities. Can you imagine being those children's parents! I am glad times have changed because I couldn't imagine being a teacher and having children not allowed to be in my room because of a dissability. Children with dissabilities bring a whole new light to classrooms.
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