Special Education History

  • Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka

    Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka

    Brown vs. Board of Education Topeka was a monumental Supreme Court ruling that named segregated schools unconstitutional. This sparked education reform in the United States that led to changes for Special Education students.
  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (PARC)

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

    Supreme Court decision that ruled students with "mental retardation" have a right to an equal education under law as their non-disabled classmates.
  • Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia

    Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia

    Supreme Court Case that ruled that special education students will receive quality and equal education, regardless of their ability to pay for it. This was critical for special education students' ability to receive their full natural rights within the classroom.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973

    This act stated students with special needs must be given an appropriate education. This law also helped create the American Disability Act and was considered the first civil rights act for students with disabilities.
  • Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    Education of All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    This Act required special education students to be taught in the least restrictive environment. This was the genesis of the IDEA law. This was a groundbreaking Act for students with disabilities because it began a specific framework for how special education students were treated by schools amidst their learning.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    This Act replaced the EAHCA, including new transition services provided to students moving from high school to later life.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act

    The Americans with Disabilities Act

    This is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of ability. This was huge for special education students because they were protected in accessing public services and accommodations.
  • IDEA 1997 Reauthorization

    IDEA 1997 Reauthorization

    This re authorization integrated special education students more into the general education classroom and included the general education teachers on the student's IEP.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    No Child Left Behind Act

    This act set high standards for students, including special education students, in order to increase achievement.
  • President Obama Allows Exceptions for No Child Left Behind Act

    President Obama Allows Exceptions for No Child Left Behind Act

    President Obama allows for exceptions to be made within the No Child Left Behind Act to show achievement through multiple ways. This benefited students of special education who may have been deemed failing based on the original NCLB standards.

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