Special Education History Timeline

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education

    Supreme court rules that “separate but equal” is unconstitutional, laying the groundwork for later disability rights in education.
  • Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA)

    Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA)

    Provides federal funding to primary and secondary education, including funds for children with disabilities.
  • Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) v. Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) v. Pennsylvania

    Children (PARC) v. Pennsylvania court rules that children with intellectual disabilities have the right to free education.
  • Mills v. Board of education of District of Columbia

    Mills v. Board of education of District of Columbia

    Establishes that school must provide education to children with disabilities, regardless of cost.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA, Public Law 94-142)

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA, Public Law 94-142)

    Guarantees Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for children with disabilities; requires IEPs and least restrictive environment (LRE).
  • Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments

    Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments

    Expands services to children ages 3-5 with disabilities creates early intervention programs for infants and toddlers.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Renames and expands EHA; emphasizes transition services, autism and TBI categories, and student rights.
  • IDEA Amendments

    IDEA Amendments

    Strengthens general education involvement, adds discipline rules, and expands parental participation.
  • No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    Increases accountability for schools to include students with disabilities in assessments and process tracking.
  • IDEA Reauthorization

    IDEA Reauthorization

    Aligns IDEA with NCLB; emphasizes research-based interventions and RTI (Response to Intervention).
  • ADA Amendments Act

    ADA Amendments Act

    Broadens the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, strengthening protections.
  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    Replaces NCLB; continues accountability while giving more flexibility to states, ensures inclusion of students with disabilities in achievement goals.