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Rhode Island opened the first public class in the United States for special‑education students. This is the beginning of education for handicapped children. Formerly, they were mostly institutionalized and consequently, for several years, effectively precluded from education. Here in the US, breaking this barrier brings back the hope that there are others who can make dreams that seem unattainable come true. -
The Arc began when parents from across the country met in Minneapolis for the first national convention of the National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children. These committed families came together with a common goal: to secure better lives and opportunities for their children. Their efforts ultimately sparked a national movement advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. -
This landmark Supreme Court decision did more than overturn segregation; by declaring “separate” inherently unequal, it laid a legal foundation for inclusion of students with disabilities. Over time, that core principle became instrumental in extending civil rights protections to ensure no child regardless of ability was left behind. In many ways, it opened the door for these children to finally claim their rightful share of educational opportunity in America. -
This federal case established that children with intellectual disabilities were entitled to a free public education. It was the first case to guarantee educational rights to students with disabilities. It played a crucial role in shaping national policy, including the passage of the IDEA. PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Wrightslaw -
In this case, the court held that all children with disabilities in Washington, D.C. were guaranteed a public education, regardless of the finances. On the other side, it balanced a person’s right to due process and appropriate sharing of resources in order to prevent people losing out through sharing less deserved money. This made way for federal laws like IDEA. -
The 94th Congress passed PL 94‑142 known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act which guaranteed a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and procedural safeguards for children with disabilities This legislation marked the nation’s first federal commitment to ensuring educational rights for students with disabilities. It later served as the foundation for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). -
Renaming it the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) significantly broadened protection by adding autism and traumatic brain injury as covered disabilities. This required schools to plan for students' transitions into life after high school. These changes strengthened the law's foundation and deeper, more its commitment to the success of students with disabilities. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law, banning discrimination against people with disabilities in all public spaces, including schools. Although it was not designed specifically for education, the ADA set essential standards that made learning environments more accessible and inclusive. Signed by President George H. W. Bush, this civil rights milestone reinforced students’ rights to equal opportunities and reasonable accommodations in schools. -
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law by President GeorgeW.Bush on January 8,2002, and represented a significant enhancement of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. This statute brought greater federal accountability through linking school funding to measurable student proficiency as well as the compulsory use of standardized testing in basic subjects. The result changed the federal education policy, focusing on data-based academic standards. -
The 2004 reauthorization of IDEA placed strong emphasis on evidence-based practices, parent collaboration, and Response to Intervention (RTI) frameworks. It also streamlined the IEP process and made accountability a central priority for schools. By pushing early intervention and fostering closer partnerships between families and educators, this update aimed to better meet each student’s unique needs. -
The U.S. Department of Education released and finalized the “Equity in IDEA” regulations, which required states to identify racial or ethnic disproportionality. These rules expanded accountability, mandating, intervention to correct disparities in identification, placement, and discipline. With these updates, the IDEA ensured that fair treatment and equal educational opportunity to all students, Principles of IDEA:The IEP