Special Education History

  • First Law Requiring Attendance

    Rhode Island was the first community to make a law requiring attendance of students to school. The law was written so children were required to attend as well as have the government pay for it. This event is important because it created a precedent going forward.
  • Beattie v. Board of Education

    Ruled that students could be excluded from education based on their disability. This included students who had attended school for years previously. In this landmark case they expelled a student who "nauseated" the other teachers and students and suggested he attend the school for the deaf. This event is important because it set a precedent for excluding children despite compensatory attendance increasing in states.
  • Cuyahoga Council for Retarted Citizens

    Parental Advocacy group comprised of 5 mothers of children with mental retardation. They joined together to protest their exclusion from school. This lead to the establishment of a special class for students. This was important because it was a noteworthy experience of advocacy.
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act

    Provided grants to elementary and secondary schools that provided services to special education students. This event was important because it created incentive for districts to support their own student population.
  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Sided with students with disabilities. The landmark case pushed for students to be included with their peers in inclusive classroom in publicly funded setting.
  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Colombia

    U.S. District Court for District of Colombia classified students as "exceptional." The definition of exceptional included those with mental and learning disabilities and behavioral issues. This made it illegal for students to be denied publicly funded educational opportunities.
  • Section 504 Established

    Sectio 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects students with disabilities from being discriminated upon. This is considered the first law protecting students with special needs which makes this law so important in Special Education history. This law includes FAPE and LRE.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    This act ensured that all children had the opportunity to be educated by the public school system. EAHCA included providing free educations, special education for children 3-21, supplemental services, due process, zero reject, and least restrictive environment. This act was important because it set up guidelines and procedures for us to follow.
  • Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Expanded

    Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) means that with a student’s IEP , they must also be in as many regular education classes as possible. This ensures that the student has social experiences. In LRE classrooms paras and aids are usually required. This is important because it pushed the agenda of creating the most normal and common experience for students with disabilities.
  • American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    The American with Disabilities Act was signed by George Bush. It was important because it created the legal requirement for special needs to have equal access at school and work. It prevented discrimination in public settings as well including transportation services.
  • IDEA

    Passed under President Bush. A 6 part law that is broken into: FAPE, LRE, IEP, evaluation, parent/student participation and procedural safeguards. This was important because it expanded the specifics required to support special education.