Timeline

History of Special Education

  • Isolated schools

    Isolated schools

    Starting in the 1850's isolated schools became available for students with disabilities. These schools were found in rural areas and separate from the public schools.
  • Exclusion

    Exclusion

    In the early 1880's children with disabilities were allowed to attend school. This included private and public schools. If the parents demanded an education for their child with disabilities, they paid privately.
  • Eugenics

    Eugenics

    Francis Golton came up with the theory that all individuals with disabilities needed to be placed in institutions. These institutions were very similar to the living situation in jail, with individuals being treated like inmates
  • Watson vs City of Cambridge

    Watson vs City of Cambridge

    In the Watson vs City of Cambridge case a student with disabilities was expelled from school. This case allowed for students with disabilities to be excluded from attending school. The court stated if the student was unable to take care of themselves, weak in mind, trouble to other students, and couldn’t benefit from an education they would not be allowed to attend school.
  • Bettie vs. Board of Education

    Bettie vs. Board of Education

    In this case another student with disabilities was expelled from school. The student had facial drooling, involuntary facial movements and speech problems that made the teacher “sick.” The student did not have any learning disabilities that made him unable to learn the curriculum being taught.
  • Improvement

    Improvement

    Starting in the 1920's students with disabilities were allowed in public schools. Most students with disabilities were kept in sperate classes as well as separate rooms.
  • PL 94-142

    PL 94-142

    In the 1970’s Laws passed allowing legislation funding for special education students. The first law included the Education for all Handicap Children Act . This law protects the rights of all individuals with disabilities while meeting each individuals need.
  • PARC vs Pennsylvania

    PARC vs Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) vs Pennsylvania was the first major legal case that provided equality for children with disabilities. PARC sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and won. Now all students with disabilities have a right to a free and public education.
  • EAHCA

    EAHCA

    President Gerold Ford enacted the Education for all Handicap Children Act. This is the basis for all upcoming special education rights and services. He was the 38th President of the United States.
  • Transition link

    https://courses.lumenlearning.com/teachereducationx92x1/chapter/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act/ Read this article to understand the transition from FAPE to IDEA. You will understand the differences and similarities between the two laws and see how IDEA has improved to support all children with disabilities.
  • IDEA

    IDEA

    In 2004 IDEA was passed. Today all students with disabilities are provided a free and public education. Students with disabilities are required to be provided an IEP, appropriate evaluation, procedural safeguards, parent and child participation as well as a zero reject policy. This is guaranteed to all students with disabilities.
  • IDEA video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XMndYNEGFA Watch this video to get a better grasp on the law IDEA in action. The law is put in place to help students get what they need to succeed and thrive in an educational setting.