Guides to Resources
The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for ensuring that students are provided with equal access to public education. The OCR website provides information on the various civil rights laws that protect students, including laws that prevent discrimination based on sex, race, age, and disabilities.
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law by George Bush on January 8, 2002. The law provided four principles which are accountability for results, provide more choices for parents, greater local control and flexibility, and an emphasis on doing what works based on scientific research. The website includes information on the four principles, an A-Z index, state success stories and contact information, policy documents covering both NCLB and general education initiatives, and information for parents.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was reauthorized in December of 2004. This law ensures that children with disabilities are provided with special education and related services by states and public agencies. The Act is divided into two parts: Part B is for children and youth, ages 3-21; Part C is for infants and toddlers, ages birth to 2. The IDEA website primarily contains information on Part B at this time, although limited information on Part C is available and more is coming in the future. Major topics covered include alignment with the No Child Left Behind Act, discipline, funding, early intervention services, and individual education program (IEP). Features of the site include regulations, statutes, training materials, video clips, and presentations on many of the major topics. A search box is available.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires federally funded schools to provide equal access to programs to students with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, ensures that all public resources and buildings, including schools, are accessible to those with disabilities. Although educators should be familiar with both laws, the ADA is the law most commonly referred to in discussions regarding the civil rights of students with disabilities. The ADA website acts as a portal to information on the various aspects of the law and includes links to publications and the federal agencies that must comply with the ADA.
Title 34 of the CFR provide regulations for the Office of the Secretary in the Department of Education as well as the Offices of the Department of Education. The regulations for the National Council on Disability are also included. The code is searchable and contains revisions as of July 1, 2006.
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