History of Special Education Time line

  • 1965 Title VI

    Title Vi added to Elementary and secondary Education Act of 1965
  • 1972

    PARC vs Pennsylvania & Mills vs Board of Education. equal protection argument to students with disabilities
  • 1973

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is enacted into statute. This national law protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability.
  • 1974

    The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is enacted.
  • 1975

    The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) is enacted. This was also known as P.L. 94-142
  • 1977

    The final federal regulations of EAHCA are released. PL 94-142
  • 1986

    PL 94-142 is amended with the addition of the Handicapped Children’s Protection Act.
  • 1990

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is enacted.
  • 1990

    PL 94-142 is amended and is now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • 1997

    IDEA reauthorized - This amendment calls for students with disabilities to be included in on state and district-wide assessments. Also, Regular Education Teachers are now required to be a member of the IEP team.
  • 2001

    No Child Left Behind is enacted.
    This law calls for all students, including students with disabilities, to be proficient in math and reading by the year 2014.
  • 2004

    IDEA reauthorized
    There are several changes from the 1997 reauthorization. The biggest changes call for more accountability at the state and local levels, as more data on outcomes is required. Another notable change involves school districts providing adequate instruction and intervention for students to help keep them out of special education.