Milestones in the History of Special Education

By SCaplan

  • Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

    Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
    This court case was influential in the history of special education because it was the first time the federal government had advocated for students who were being treated unequally. This decision set a precedent for future decisions on inequality with regard to students with disabilities.
    Photo retrieved March 5, 2016 from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_brown.html

  • The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
    This act made the federal government responsible to grant schools funds in order that they may protect and provide for students who were disadvantaged and included provisions for schools to improve programs for students who were disabled. Since its inception, this Congressional Act has been reauthorized every 5 years, under different names.
    Photo by Frank Wolfe, retrieved September 14, 2016 from http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/lbjforkids/edu_photos.shtml,

  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    This court case set a precedent that students who were "mentally retarded" could not be denied a free and public education.

  • Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)

    Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)
    Mandated that any entity receiving federal funds (businesses, schools, medical facilities, etc.) could not discriminate against students (or other persons) with disabilities. This Act also served to define 'handicapped person' and 'appropriate education'.

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
    This Act defined 'least restrictive environment' and instituted individualized education plans (IEP). It required states to provide an equal education to students with disabilities between the ages of 5 and 18. It was expanded in 1986 to include children between 3 and 5 years of age and interventions for children from birth to 2.

  • Hoenig v. Doe

    Hoenig v. Doe
    This case ruled that students cannot be expelled from school for behaviors that are manifestations of their disability.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
    This Act was similar to PARC and Mills v. Board of Education, but established the constitutional right of an education for children with disabilities. It replaced EAHCA and expanded its services. It was further expanded in 2004 as IDEIA to add the RtI model and funding for early intervention services. Schools could no longer reject students that they felt ill equipped to handle.

  • No Child Left Behind

    No Child Left Behind
    This was President G.W. Bush's new name for the renewal of the ESEA Act (1965). Some added features included accountability measures, school choice, and early reading interventions.
    Photo retrieved September 14, 2016 from http://www.edweek.org/media/2015/03/30/x26-esea-2002-nclb-signing-george-w-bush-280.jpg.pagespeed.ic.T_8yFqLRvw.jpg