Special Education Legislation

First public Special Education Class

1875

The first Special Education class was recorded to have taken place in 1875, in Cleveland, Ohio. Other classes were recorded almost two decades later in other major cities such as Boston and New York City. These were considered the foundation for the Special Education that we know today.

Eugenics Movement

1885

The Eugenics Movement was evil and could be compared to mass genocide when students from today view it. Eugenics was a movement that pushed for all people with disabilities to be sterilized because society at the time did not want them to procreate, or leave anymore "useless" workers in their communities. Aside from people with disabilities, immigrants and non-English speaking citizens were included in this terrible act.

Brown Vs. Board of Education

1954

"Separate does not mean equal". Brown Vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas was a federal case that changed the course of Special Education. Up until this time, students with special needs were kept at home, or in completely different schools. This court case ruled that these students should be able to be in the same building as typical students so they could receive appropriate education.

Elementary and Secondary Act (EASAA)

1965

This act was signed and put into practice by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. This was considered a Civil Rights Law, because it enforced that all students, typical or special needs, and offered grants for schooling, textbooks, and whatever else a child needed in order to receive an education.

Diana Vs. California Board of Education

1970

The case of Diana v. California State Board results in new laws requiring that children referred for possible special education placement be tested in their primary language.

Section 504 - Rehabilitation Act of 1973

1973

First disability civil rights law to be put into place in the United States. It does not allow people who have disabilities to be discriminated against in a place that receives financial assistance, such as schools. 504 is still in place today.

Mills Vs. Board of Education - Washington D.C

1973

This was a class-action lawsuit. After this was passed, it required that all students in Washington D.C, no matter how severe the disability, had the right to special services and procedures in order to receive an education. Students with handicaps could no longer be excluded from public education opportunities.

Education for all Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

1975

This is a federal law, better known as PL 94-142. This law requires that students who have handicaps are able to receive appropriate education and accommodations within a school setting. This law is still in act today, and has even been revised and added to since its passing.

Individuals with Educational Disabilities Act (IDEA)

1990

This legislation was passed to allow students with disabilities better support as they transitioned from elementary school to high school, to post-school, and beyond if they had the opportunity to work. This act also made it law that students with disabilities were to receive, at no cost, free education, or FAPE. This law is still in act today, and has been revised and added to since its passing.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1990

This federal law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities within the workplace and in everyday life. It covers state and local government issues, issues for people with hearing loss, mobility access for those with handicaps, and much more. It was signed by President George H.W. Busch.