What landmark law was enacted in 1975, providing funding for special education?

The law enacted in 1975 that provided funding for special education is known as the Public Law 94-142, also commonly referred to as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This landmark legislation aimed to ensure that all children with disabilities had the right to a free and appropriate public education. It established regulations for the education of children with special needs and required schools to create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for eligible students.

This law was significant in that it laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which reauthorized and expanded many of the provisions of Public Law 94-142. The foundational principles established by Public Law 94-142 have continued to influence special education policy in the United States, emphasizing the importance of access to quality education for all children, regardless of their disabilities.

The other options listed refer to laws that either followed or expanded upon the original law, or address different aspects of disability rights, but it was Public Law 94-142 that specifically initiated funding provisions for special education in 1975.