A History of Special Education in the U.S

First Public Special Education Class

Aug 24, 1896

Rhode Island opened first public special education class in the United States, and by 1923 over 30,000 students were enrolled in these classes. This marked the emergence of special education as more teachers and public schools became aware of the increasing number of students with learning disabilities.

Brown V. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

This famous case ruled that racial segregation of children in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The results of the case laid the foundation for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and encouraged research on the effectiveness of integration in typical classrooms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTGHLdr-iak&index=3&list=PLrpsG6b3T3myhQHkqUCbQKrbFnFC3rGfR

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

Apr 11, 1965

ESEA offered grants to serve low-income students regarding textbooks, library books, special education centers, and scholarships. The law also provided federal grants to state educational agencies to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education programs.

PARC V. Commonwealth

May 5, 1972

In 1971, the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a state law that allowed for certain children to be denied of an education. The PARC case was the first to have challenged the laws that allowed discrimination and exclusion of students with mental disabilities to participate in school programs alongside other children. http://disabilityjustice.org/right-to-education/

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Sep 26, 1973

This law protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs that receive federal financial assistance and funds. More precisely, this requires for school districts to provide qualified students with disabilities a free appropriate public education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html

the family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Aug 21, 1974

This federal law protects the privacy of student education records in all schools that receive funds from the US Department of Education. This law also gives specific rights to parents regarding their children's educational records.

Public Law 94-142: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act

Nov 30, 1975

This law guaranteed a free appropriate public education to every child with a disability. This act focused on improving how children with disabilities were identified and educated, evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts and ultimately provide due pro cress protections for children and families.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Jul 26, 1990

The ADA is a civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees same opportunities to individuals with disabilities in all aspects of social functions, including employment opportunities, and participation in state and local programs and services.

individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Oct 30, 1990

This act ensures services to students with disabilities throughout the nation. This law also governs how states and public agencies provide early interventions, special education, and related services to children with disabilities.

No Child Left Behind

Jan 8, 2002

The No Child Left Behind Act is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act which focuses on closing the student achievement gap by providing all children with fair, equal opportunities. This bill emphasized accountability, flexibility, research-based education, and parental options.