Special Education History

  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    Civil Rights Act of 1866
    This act made it illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of color, race or whether they had been a slave. It granted citizenship and the same rights to all men that had previously only been given to white males.
  • Plessy v Ferguson

    Plessy v Ferguson
    The Supreme Court ruled that it was legal to segregate individuals based on race as long as the conditions were equal.
  • Brown v Board of Education

    Brown v Board of Education
    This case ruled that racial segregation of public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment which grants equal education to all.
  • PARC v Pennsylvania

    PARC v Pennsylvania
    The court ruled in favor of students having the right to a free education and if necessary because of disabilities they would have an individualized education.
  • Mills v Board of Education of DC

    Mills v Board of Education of DC
    This court case ruled in the favor of children with disabilities to prevent them from being suspended or expelled from public schools. This meant that no child with any mental, behavioral, physical or emotional handicap could be denied a public education. The court also ruled that funding should be used equally among services and programs in schools to ensure that these children received their proper education.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    This act declared that there will be no discrimination in the workplace or school or any entity receiving federal funding. This includes making any changes to a program so that disabled students or persons' needs are met.
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

    This gives parents the right to access their children's education records up until they turn 18.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act
    This law made it possible for disabled students to receive an education that benefited them and their needs. It also brought about the start of IEPs or individualized education programs.
  • Public Law No 94-142

    Public Law No 94-142
    States must create and use policies or programs for children with disabilities in order to receive federal funding.
  • Perkins Act of 1984

    Perkins Act of 1984
    This law requires that a portion of federal funding for education go towards special education. Especially for those progams that involve vocations or apprenticeships.
  • Handicapped Children’s Protection Act of 1986

    Handicapped Children’s Protection Act of 1986
    This act was an amendment to the Education of Handicapped Act. It extended the right to a free education to those disabled children from ages 3-5. It also awarded parents attorney's fees when an EAHCA was won.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    In 1990 IDEA replaced the EAHCA. IDEA mandated that children be taught together regardless of skill or ability. Disabled children requiring extra programs or separate schooling are granted that right.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    This act prohibited any discrimination towards disabled people and gave them a voice.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    This law was enacted to make sure students are meeting state standards in reading and math. Its purpose is to close student acheivement gaps.
  • IDEA Act 2004

    This act ensures that all disabled students are accounted for and provided the right to free education. It ensures that teachers are elected that specialize in this field to help with programs for students that need it.