U.S Sped System and Language Policy

By Josell21

  • 1973: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-112)

    It is illegal to discriminate against anyone solely do to their disability. It is illegal to deny benefits and participation solely do to a disability as well. Individuals with disabilities have the same legal rights and admission to programs and services. Individuals with disabilities related to speech, manual, and sensory skills are legally entitled to supplementary tools and other aids.
    (Ysseldyke & Algozzine, 2006, p.11-15)

  • 1975: Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-142)

    Students with disabilities have legal rights to the following:
    - Free and appropriate public education (FAPE);
    - Least restrictive environment (LRE); and
    - Approved and appropriate accommodations and modifications during assessments, and an individualized education plan (IEP)
    - Parents have the right to view their child’s school records.
    - Parents must be informed before any changes are made in the student’s educational placement, classes, or programs.
    (Ysseldyke & Algozzine, 2006, p.11-24)

  • 1986: Amendments to the Education of All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 99-457)

    All legal rights provided under Education of All Handicapped Children Act, including FAPE, LRE, IEP, and parameters of parental involvement, are equally provided to special needs preschool children.
    (Ysseldyke & Algozzine, 2006, p.11)

  • 1990: Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990 (Public Law 101-336)

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990 approves and reinforces all aspects of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. IDEA expands the disability categories by adding autism and traumatic brain injury. Also, IDEA provides the legally referred to definition of transition services while making assistive technology more accessible.

  • 13 disabilities listed under IDEA

    The following are the 13 disabilities listed under IDEA:
    (Individuals are eligible for accommodations, modifications, and/or services needed.)
    - autism
    - deaf-blindness
    - deafness
    - emotional disturbance
    - hearing impairment
    - intellectually disability
    - multiple disabilities
    - orthopedic impairment
    - other health inpairment
    - specific learning disability
    - speech or language disability
    - traumatic brain injury
    - visual impairment (including blindness)
    (Ysseldyke & Algozzine, 2006, p.12-27)

  • 1990: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336)

    American With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination of special needs individuals in adulthood.
    ADA prohibits discrimination for special needs adults in the following categories:
    • Transportation
    • Telecommunication services
    • Government agencies, services, and occupation. (Ysseldyke & Algozzine, 2006, p.12)

  • 1997: Amendments to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-17)

    In 1997, amendments were made to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This amendment provides greater detail about who needs to be present during Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings and different paperwork and procedures which are required for IEP documentation. IDEA’s disciplinary standards and regulations were updated. In addition, states are responsibly for tracking and documenting the performance, growth, and evolution of each special needs student.

  • 2001: No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110)

    NCLB is a law that applies to not only special needs students, but all students within the United States. NCLB requires that students from 3rd to 8th grade take an annual government designed assessment in mathematics and reading.The Reading First and Early Reading First programs allows NCLB to provide tier II and tier III interventions in all areas under the reading umbrella.Under NCLB parents are entitled to flexibility when placement of their child’s school district and school choice

  • 2004: Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA)

    It is legally required that students with disabilities be taught by teachers who are highly qualified, have obtained a state teaching license, and certified in special education as well as core subjects. The improvement act of IDEA allows for 15% of special education funds to go to general education.Discrepancy rates are not required when recognizing and classifying special needs students. In addition, IEP short term goals are no longer required, however long term IEP’s are permitted.