Special education

History of Special Education in the United States

By marthanjay

  • An Act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen

    An Act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen
    Full text of the Act This law was the first noted that recognized the need to provide funds to care for those who are disabled. The law collected money to cover the cost of care of the sick and disabled seamen and to then build new facilities to continue to provide care. The bill was initially presented to the House of Representatives in early 1798. It was amended and eventually passed by the House and went on to the Senate where it was amended and passed. It was finally signed into law by President John Adams.

  • First public special education class in U.S.

    First public special education class in U.S.
    Rhode Island was the leader by starting the first public school special education class in the United States. Other states followed. By the year 1923, nearly 34,000 students were being serviced in special education classes. (exact date unknown)

  • Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka

    Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka
    BrainPop The case of Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka made national news in ending segregation in the education system. The realization that students should not recieve separate education because of their skin color was a catalyst in the special education movement. All students, regardless of disability should also be entitled to the same quality of education. It ended the separate but equal.

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This provided funding for primary and secondary education to offer equal and quality education to all students. It is reauthorized about every five years.

  • Special Olympics

    Special Olympics
    Events leading up to the start of Special Olympics
    The collaboration of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was holding summer camps for intellectually disabled kids, and Anne McGlone Burke, a physical education teacher was the start of Special Olympics. It has grown over the years and services students all over the world.

  • PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    Arguements began in this lawsuit on this date. This case forever changed special education services. This is where FAPE comes from.

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act
    Overview of the Education for all Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) Public Law 94-142 was signed into law by President Gerald Ford. The four main purposes were: 1. free, appropriate, public education; 2. rights of children with disabilities and their parents protected; 3. provide assistance to state and local systems; and 4. assess and assure effectiveness of education of children with disabilities.

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
    Section 504
    This is the date that section 504 was finally signed and it went into effect that May. This act took the protection of those with disabilities beyond schools to any agency, institution, company that receives federal funding. Students who do not qualify for an IEP can receive certain accommodations with a 504 plan.

  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
    IDEA 1990
    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as an ammendment to PL94-142 was introduced on October 31, 1989, but wasn't signed into law until a year minus a day later by President George H.W. Bush. IDEA has 4 main parts. It includes 6 key points: Individualized Education Program (IEP), Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), Appropriate Evaluation, Parent & Teacher Participation, and Procedural Safeguards.

  • Amendment to IDEA

    Amendment to IDEA
    [IDEA 1997](www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-105publ17/pdf/PLAW-105publ17.pdf) This amendment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law on this day by President William Clinton. This act is designed to help strengthen the expectations and accountability in the education of students with disabilities.

  •  Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

     Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004
    IDEA 2004 This amendment was signed on this day by President George W. Bush to align with the No Child Left Behind Act. IEP updates were included along with zero reject, protection in evaluation, gathering valid data, FAPE, LRE, procedural safegards, and parent participation.