History of Special Education and Inclusive Education

  • Department of Public Welfare v. Haas

    Department of Public Welfare v. Haas

    Maintained that schools were not required to provide "free public education for the 'feebleminded' or children who were 'mentally deficient' and who, because of their limited intelligence were unable to reap the benefits of a good education".
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    Initiated the role of of the federal government in providing for students in low-income backgrounds so they may have access to free public education.
  • Education of the Handicapped Act

    Education of the Handicapped Act

    Revised ESEA to continue support for state-run programs for individuals with disabilities.
  • PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    This case challenged for the right to public schooling previously denied to disabled students.
  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia

    Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia

    Pushed for "adequate alternate education services" and "prior hearing and periodic review of the child's status, progress, and the adequacy of any educational alternative." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfGmK1R0jR0
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)

    Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)

    Defined handicapped person and appropriate education. Prohibited discrimination against students with disabilities in federally funded programs.
    https://www.nad.org/resources/civil-rights-laws/rehabilitation-act-of-1973
  • Educational Amendments Act

    Educational Amendments Act

    Granted federal funds to states for federal funds to states for exceptional learners. First federal funding for gifted and talented programs. Grants students and families the right of due process in special educational placement.
  • P.L. 94-142

    P.L. 94-142

    Schools were required to ensure that all children, regardless of disability, receive FAPE.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    Required states to provide FAPE for children (age 5-18) with disabilities and provide IEPs. Defined least restrictive environment.
  • Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley

    Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley

    Defined Free and Public Education (FAPE) and ruled that the district need only provide appropriate care, not the best possible care.
  • Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments

    Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments

    Required states to extend FAPE to children (3-5). Established early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth to 2).
  • Honig v. Doe

    Honig v. Doe

    Ruled that behaviors related to a students disability could not be used as a reason for expulsion.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)

    Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)

    Established "people-first" language. Extended special education services to include social work, assistive technology and rehabilitation services as well as provisions for due process and confidentiality for students and parents. Added autism and traumatic brain injury to the disability categories. Required states to provide bilingual education programs to students with disabilities, educate them for employment transition and provide transition services, and transition programs at 16.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    Prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the private sector. Protected equal opportunity employment and public services, accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. Expanded the definition disability to include people with AIDS.
  • IDEA Expanded

    IDEA Expanded

    Required benefits to continue if expelled, schools to ensure access to general education, general education teachers to part of IEP teams, students with disabilities to take part in state and district assessments, mediation to be offered to parents and educators, and provide behavioral management plans. Allowed states to extend their use of the developmental delay category for student through age 9 and special education staff working in mainstream classrooms to assist general education students.
  • Cedar Rapids v. Garret F.

    Cedar Rapids v. Garret F.

    Ruled that under IDEA schools must provide supplemental services needed to attend school at no additional cost to the parents.
  • No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    Led to increased accountability in monitoring student progress, expanded parents choices in schools according to their child's need to receive FAPE, and gave schools increased flexibility in providing it.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)

    Allows districts to use a response-to-intervention (RTI) model for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability and no longer required a severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability. Increased federal funds to provide early intervention services to students who do not need special education or related services. Eliminated short-term objectives in an IEP except for students who do not take statewide assessments. Raised standards of special education licensure.
  • Winkelman v. Parma City School District

    Winkelman v. Parma City School District

    Found that parents may pursue IDEA claims separate to their child's rights.
  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    Replaced the No Child Left Behind Act, providing additional opportunities to schools when students did not make adequate progress.
  • Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District

    Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District

    Ruled that in order to meet FAPE schools must offer an IEP that is reasonable calculated to achieve progress.