History of Special Education GCU SPD: 510 O501 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Practices Policies in Special Education

By Key0812

  • Watson v. City of Cambridge

    Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a child that was “weak in mind” would cause disruption in a classroom and would “sicken” the teachers (Yell, M., 2016). Students with disabilities were seen as unworthy of an education even though laws were passed saying that all children should have the right to an education.

  • White House Conference on Children

    This conference showed that students with disabilities had a right to attend public schools and not be institutionalized (Yell, M. 2016). Even though students with disabilities were still segregated from others in the school this was an improvement in focusing on the rights of students with disabilities.

  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

    The CEC was founded to advocate for the rights of students with disabilities at the federal and state levels (Yell, M., 2016). The CEC played a major role of advocating for the educational rights of students with disabilities. This organization was and still is one of the major organizations that focused on educating and supporting students with disabilities as well as parents, and teachers.

  • The Cuyahoga County Ohio Council for the Retarded Child

    This was the first sign of advocacy for students with disabilities. Parents came together to fight for the rights of their children within the school. I chose this because parents stood up for what was right for their children even though the states or courts may not have felt the same way and ignored the needs of their students.

  • Cuyahoga County Court of Appeals in Ohio

    The State Department of Education was given the right to exclude students from attending school (Yell, M. 2016). At this time the law was set that every child had the right to an education. This ruling gave the department of education the right to exclude a child because of their disability ignoring their rights.

  • Brown vs. Board of Education

    This historical marker focused on the civil rights of students and focused on ending segregation and that minorities had the right to the same education as students in the upper class (Yell, M., 2016). Even though this case focused more on race and segregation; it allowed for students with disabilities to not be discriminated against and to have the right to an equal education as well.

  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens vs. Pennsylvania

    The state board of education and 13 districts brought a class action suit against the state advocating for students with disabilities to be offered the same free education as well as programs that are similar to peers without disabilities (Yell, M., 2016). Educators recognized children with disabilities should receive the same equal education as others. They made it known to the state that they ignored these rights.

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    This law prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities. Agencies that received federal funds to ensure that students had proper accommodations, individual modifications, etc. that they needed to strive as well as students without disabilities (Yell, M., 2016). This law focused specifically on the accommodations and support services a student needed. These students did not require an IEP.

  • Education of the Handicapped Amendments in 1986

    Recognized that infants and toddlers from birth to age three who had developmental delays needed early intervention that would help them in improving before the start of school (Yell, M., 2016). Recognized that if students with disabilities were taught early, they may not need services or not as many services by the time they entered school. This was also the start of programs such as RISP.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    Focused on the specific need for special education services for children with disabilities. The act protected students that had any of the 8 types of disabilities. This law mandated schools to provide students with the least restrictive environment, technologies, as well as focusing on the parent’s role in their child’s education (Yell, M., 2016).

  • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

    This act was important due to it prohibiting discrimination against students with disabilities across the nation (Yell, M., 2016). This act was beneficial due to it focusing on the abilities individuals with disabilities had. It identified that these individuals were just as capable of living on their own, having a job, and having the right to a quality education.
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    No Child Left Behind Act

    No Child Left Behind focused on the equal education for students in poverty, minorities, students receiving special education services, and those who speak and understand limited or no English (Lee. M., 2018). No Child Left Behind also meant that each child was tested and provided the same lessons equally. Although, this was helpful it made it difficult for students in special education due to needing an individualized plan and the total equality did not provide that.