History of Special Education

  • Fourteenth Amendment

    One of the Reconstruction Amendments that formed the basis of special education. Defines citizenship, guarantees privileges and immunities, and guarantees due process and equal protection of law.
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Segregation based on race prohibited in public schools. Would later extend rights to other groups that had been subjected to discrimination.
  • Department of Public Welfare v. Haas

    State supreme court ruled that compulsory attendance laws did not apply to students who were "feeble minded" or "mentally deficient."
  • North Carolina State Law

    Made it a crime for parents to persist in sending a child with disabilities to public school after being excluded.
  • Education of the Handicapped Act

    Provided various special education grants
  • PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Required FAPE for students with mental retardation.
  • Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia

    Determined it was unconstitutional to segregate or exclude students with disabilities.
  • Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)

    Prohibited discrimination of people with disabilities from federally funded programs.
  • Education for all Handicapped Children Act

    Required FAPE, LRE, IEPs, and procedural safeguards.
  • Handicapped Children's Protection Act

    Decided that parents could recover legal fees if case was found in their favor.
  • Amendments to the Education of Handicapped Children Act

    Provided for and required early intervention services.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    Added eligible disability categories, required transition plans for students 16 and older, utilized person-first language.