Class 2

How did passage of PL94-142 place substantial pressure on public school systems?

The PL94-142 applied the pressure to the public school because it was backed by the government; the same people that provide the funding for the public schools. Some educators have resisted the legislation and “the burden that the new laws place on them” (Kirk Et al 2009).


Identify and briefly explain the six key principles of PL 94-142, the Education for All handicapped Children Act.


1. Zero reject- all children with disabilities must be provided a free appropriate education
2. Nondiscriminatory Evaluation – Each student must receive a full individualized examination before being placed in a special education program, with tests appropriate to the child’s cultural and linguistic background.
3. Individualized education program- an IEP must be written for every student with a disability who is receiving a special education
4. Least restrictive environment- as much as possible, children who have disabilities must be educated with children who are not handicapped.
5. Due Process- is a set of legal procedures that allow a fair trial or hearing
6. Parental participation- parents are to be included in the development of the IEP and access to the Childs records