Important Milestones in Special Education

  • Brown vs. Board of Education

    Brown vs. Board of Education

    This case resulted in overturning a previous ruling, in Plessy v. Ferguson. Ruling that "separate is not equal." Although it was a case that dealt with the more politcal subject of the time, racisism; the ruling included special needs students. As a result, many advocacy groups were formed and increase in knowledge about these populations began. this ruling will wait 36 years to become an Act, IDEA
  • Elementary and Secondary Act

    Elementary and Secondary Act

    This Act instigated federal funding (in the form of grants) to be given to schools or facilities that ran programs to educate students with disabilities. This act caused the view of special needs populations to change, they started to be seen as people who deserve investment by the public. This act had the intent of raising academic achievement on struggling learners and help with complex needs for students (including mobility, LD, poverty and ESL).
  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The earliest and well known court ruling about mistreatment of special needs citizens. This ruling established the requirement that each individual's needs must be met, and all services must be based on proper and thorough evaluations. Ruling that a state may not deny equal access to education based on ability or intelligence.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    This law has been seen as the first law giving protections and assurances to people with special needs. It includes the first presence of free appropriate public education or FAPE and the least restrictive environment or LRE. These terms and guidelines help advocating for human rights grow in power.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Establishing that all students with disabilities must be educated in public schools. It must be free, last between the ages of 3-21, have supplemental services (OT, AT...), due process, zero rejection. All aimed at further support for human rights and avocation.
  • Least Restrictive Environment

    Least Restrictive Environment

    Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) means that the IEP must include the best effort made to include special education students with regular education classes, as much as possible. Increasing the chances for students with disabilities to have social experiences. LRE had been introduced previously, but in 1975 it was more fully defined.
  • Handicapped Children's Protection Act

    Handicapped Children's Protection Act

    This act was signed in by Ronald Reagan and empowered the role of the parents as an advocate for their disabled child. Specifically focused on their active involvement when developing the IEP.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    Americans with Disabilities Act

    President George W Bush signed this act in an effort to improve the lives of Americans with special needs. He believed that these people should be afforded the same rights as others, in school and work. And made sure to set up laws that fought against discrimination of these citizens. (including public transportation)
  • IDEA

    IDEA

    The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) was also established by President G.W.Bush, it established the foundational how's and why's that tell when services are given to exceptional students. Namely: universal clarity to FAPE, LRE, IEP, evaluation, parent/student participation, and safeguards set for all involved.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    No Child Left Behind Act

    Another law set up by president G.W.Bush, it established that all American children must be proficient in math and reading by 2014 (12 yrs after the act). Many states and districts have attempted to exempt out, or even falsify scores to avoid being non proficient.
  • IDEA Reauthorized

    IDEA Reauthorized

    IDEA was reviewed and improved on. This update included wording that supported focused support on students/children that are hard of hearing. Improving access to communication needs, academics, and protections of rights.