Overview luminary

Special Education Historical Timeline

By lloydcompton

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
    This national law protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. Most educators did not know this applied to public schools.

  • The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
    This was also known as P.L. 94-142. Today we know this law as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). EAHCA, along with key Supreme Court cases, mandated all school districts to educate students with disabilities.

  • EAHCA is amended and is now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    EAHCA is amended and is now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
    One of the biggest changes was the addition of transition services for students with disabilities. School Districts were now required to look at outcomes and assisting students with disabilities in transitioning from high school to postsecondary life.

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is enacted.

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is enacted.
    ADA adopts the Section 504 regulations as part of the ADA statute. In turn, numerous “504 Plans” for individual students start to become more common place in school districts.