Which law, passed in 1975, mandates the mainstreaming of students with disabilities in public schools in the U.S.?

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, passed in 1975, was a landmark piece of legislation that set a precedent for the education of children with disabilities in the United States. This law mandated that all public schools accept children with disabilities and provide them with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This mainstreaming approach emphasized that students with disabilities should be educated alongside their non-disabled peers whenever possible, facilitating inclusion and equal access to education.

While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) later built upon this foundation by providing clearer guidelines and protections for students with disabilities, the original act from 1975 was pivotal in establishing the framework for their educational rights. The ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act also support the rights of individuals with disabilities, but they do not specifically mandate the education of children in public schools as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act does. The act's influence has been profound in shaping how education systems accommodate and support diverse learners.