Q. What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and How Does It Relate to Education?

A. The 1964 Act is the landmark legislation prohibiting discrimination in several areas including housing, employment and education. The sections of the Act relating to education are Title IV, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin by public elementary and secondary schools and public institutions of higher learning; Title VI, prohibiting discrimination by recipients of federal funds on the basis of race and national origin; and Title IX, permitting the United States to intervene in pending suits alleging discrimination.

Q. What is the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA)?

A. The EEOA prohibits specific discriminatory conduct, including segregating students on the basis of race, color or national origin, and discrimination against faculty and staff. Furthermore, the EEOA requires school districts to take action to overcome students' language barriers that impede equal participation in educational programs.

Q. What is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

A. Section 504 prohibits the exclusion, the denial of benefits, and discrimination by reason of disability in programs or activities receiving federal funds.

Q. What is the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA)?

A. The IDEA requires States and local education agencies to provide a free and appropriate public education to children with disabilities.

Q. What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and How Does It Relate to Education?

A. The ADA was enacted in 1990 to address discrimination against persons with disabilities. Title II of the ADA provides that no individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, program, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity. Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations, such as schools, operated by private entities.