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Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard Publishes "The wild boy of Aveyron"
In 1799, a young boy was found in the French wilderness. Deemed mentally deficient, the boy was said to be incurable. Physician Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard disagreed with these findings and spent the next five years providing specialized instruction leading to the development of the first IEP and textbook published about modern special education (Plunker, 2012). Plunker, J. (2012, January 26). Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard. Retrieved from http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/itard.shtml -
The Eugenics Movement of the 1880's - 1930's
Prior to WWII, eugenics, the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species, was a popular movement in the United States. Many experts believed that the removal of mentally and physically disabled humans through means of sterilization and euthanasia, not the education of these individuals, would create a stronger human race (Lauter, 2011). Lauter, S. (2011, 5 4). Eugenics archive. Retrieved from http://www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics/ -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
During the civil rights movement, this Supreme Court decision began the focus on student rights in the public school system. Though primarily focused on student desegragation by race, this ruling paved the way for legislation that included rights for students with special needs (Wood p. 6, 2006). Wood, J. W. (2006). Teaching students in inclusive settings: Adapting and accommodating instruction. (5th ed. ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. -
Geraldo Rivera's Expose of Willowbrook School on Stanton Island
During the civil rights movement the treatment of individuals suffering from mental and physical disabilites was something overlooked until Geraldo Rivera's surprise live expose' of the Willowbrook School. The poor conditions and treatment of its residents shocked the nation, leading to the inclusion of Americans with disabilities into the civil rights movement (Debello). DeBello, V. History [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://willowbrookstateschool.blogspot.com/p/history. -
The Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1973: Section 504
Congress passes the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1973 containing Section 504. This law prevents discrimination on the basis of disability in federally funded programs. Section 504 assures certain rights to individuals with disabilities. These include the right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students regardless of the level of disability ("Section 504," 2011). Section 504. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.help4adhd.org/en/education/rights/504 -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
The EAHCA became law and describes how Section 504 relates to education, defining the parent and student with disabilites right to pursue public education. This act guarantees a FAPE for all disabled children in the least restrictive environment at no cost to the parents and started the use of the IEP by teachers (Burling, 2007). Burling, K. (2007). The legislatie history of alternate assessments. Pearson. DOI: www.pearsonassessments.com/NR/rdonlyres/..0BF9../wp0703.pdf -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in many areas. The ADA states that individual shall not be discriminated against in the areas of employment and the ability to use public services including transportation. They also cannot be denied the chance to enjoy the goods and services provided by anyone the operates a place of public accommodation (Disabled World, 2012). Disabled World. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.disabled-world. -
EAHCA Is Ammended and Name Changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Not only is the name of this act changed, but the entire attitude of how this act is written. It focuses on viewing the person first and not the disability. Also, autism and traumatic brain injury are desigantied as their own disability (Galgovich, 2009). Galgovich, P. (2009). http://www.slideshare.net/rbarnabas/idea-1990-pl-101476-presentation. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/rbarnabas/idea-1990-pl-101476-presentation -
IDEA Ammendments of 1997
Legislation continues to improve IDEA. In 1997, amendments to the act includes changes in the development of IEP's and student accomodations during district-wide and state assessments. This allows special needs students the ability to participate in assessments or be given an alternative designed to meet their needs (Amendments to IDEA, 1999). Amendments to IDEA '97 final regulations released. (1999). Retrieved from http://www.fape.org/idea/what_idea_is/amend_to_idea.html -
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
Reinforcing the amendments of IDEA in 1997, this act limits the percentage of special needs students who can be counted in the AYP using alternative assessments to 1%. This was established to ensure that the majority of special needs students are being included in the general education testing program (Wood, 2006). Wood, J. W. (2006). Teaching students in inclusive settings: Adapting and accommodating instruction. (5th ed. ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
