A Journey Toward Inclusion: Key Milestones in the History of Special Education in the United States
By caithlyna
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1st School for Disabilities
First Public School for Children with Disabilities
In 1848, the first public school for children with disabilities, the Perkins School for the Blind, was established in Boston, Massachusetts. This marked the beginning of formal education for children with disabilities in the U.S., paving the way for future legislation and schools that would serve students with various special needs.
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Brown v. Board Case
The landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, declared that "separate but equal" was inherently unequal. Although this case primarily focused on racial segregation, it laid the groundwork for the argument that students with disabilities should not be segregated from their peers in education.
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Section 504 Est.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was a groundbreaking federal law that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs that receive federal funding. This law was the first to recognize the civil rights of people with disabilities and was crucial in ensuring that students with disabilities had access to public education. -
EAHCA Mandates Inclusion
The EAHCA, later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), was a major milestone in special education. It mandated that all public schools provide free and appropriate education to students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment, emphasizing the importance of mainstreaming and inclusion.
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Protection Act for Disabilities
The Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986 ensured that parents of children with disabilities could be awarded attorney's fees if they won their case against a school district. This legislation strengthened the rights of parents to advocate for their children’s inclusion in mainstream classrooms and access to appropriate educational services. -
IDEA Expands Rights
The reauthorization of the EAHCA as IDEA in 1990 expanded the rights of children with disabilities, requiring schools to create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and provide services in the least restrictive environment. IDEA reinforced the push towards inclusion, ensuring students with disabilities could learn alongside their non-disabled peers. -
1997 IDEA Updates
The 1997 amendments to IDEA further emphasized the importance of including students with disabilities in the general education classroom. These amendments required schools to provide accommodations and support to enable students with disabilities to participate fully in the general curriculum.
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NCLB Focus on Inclusion
The NCLB Act aimed to close achievement gaps by holding schools accountable for the academic progress of all students, including those with disabilities. It required schools to include students with disabilities in statewide assessments, pushing for higher standards and greater inclusion in the general education curriculum.
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2004 IDEA Reauthorized
The 2004 reauthorization of IDEA, continued to promote inclusive practices by requiring schools to use research-based interventions and encouraging collaboration between general and special education teachers. This reauthorization further ensured that students with disabilities could access a high-quality education in the least restrictive environment.
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ESSA Cont. Inclusion
The ESSA replaced NCLB and maintained a strong focus on accountability and high standards for all students, including those with disabilities. ESSA provided greater flexibility to states but continued to require that students with disabilities be included in statewide assessments and that schools provide appropriate accommodations to support their learning in general education settings.