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Legislation for Special Education Programs
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Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The act that was signed by Lyndon B. Johnson was intended to initiate the role of the federal government in protecting and providing for students who may come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This included, but was not limited to, allowing acces to high-quality education programs for people of all financial backgrounds, providing free and reduced lunches, and hiring additional teachers in districts located within disadvantaged communities.This showed that all children deserved an equal education. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA)
This act was the first to address the need for special education programs for students in public schools. Under public law there was a legal definition of both handicapped person and appropriate education. This allowed not only for teachers to start allowing students to recognize students with special needs, but also gave them the abilities to address those needs appropriately. It was crucial that this act prohibited discrimination against students with disabilities in federally funded programs. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
At this point, education was taking a needed turn toward considering all students as equal learners. The federal government now grants funds to states for programs for exceptional learners, and is the first move towards federal funding of state programs for students who are gifted and talented. The act also allowed students and parents the right to due process when trying to be granted special education placement. Families were finally getting more of a say in their children's educational needs. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The IDEA was put forth to rename EAHCA, to improve what initiatives had already been made within classrooms around the country. It promotes "people-first" language. Programs are designed to be more long term and to help students become more prepared for helping to care for themsleves to the best of their ability and to help with transition into employment. The programs were expanded to include help with social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services. -
American with Disabilites Act (ADA)
While initially this act was not tied specifically to special education in American schools, it did protect people with disabilities. It later offered more remedies to parents with students who were classified as special needs. It also led to litigation for Special Education in more recent years. The act was intended to protect equl opportunity to employment and public services, accomadations, transportation, and telecommunication. -
IDEA Continued
As time passed, it was becoming more apparent that additional legislation and policy needed to be passed to better the existing IDEA. The laws were updated to include students who were expelled that they continue to still recieve services. Special education staff were now able to work in mainstream classrooms to help general education students as well, because special education students were now promoted to take part in general education classes. -
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
President George W. Bush made a monumental effort in education reform and accountability when he signed the No Child Left Behind Act. The act implemented programs for early reading intervention, offered school choice for students in failing schools. and provided states with more flexibility on how they can use federal funds (under the condition that the standards of accountability are met). The act created a new higher standard for teachers, schools, districts and states to meet for students. -
Individuals with Disabilites Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
Over time, provisions to existing acts are necessary to make them more applicable to education in the United States. This is when RtI first came into play and has since been strongly supported within districts. Response to Intervention model was put in place to help determine if a child has a specific learning disability, or if they no longer need assisstance. It raises standards for teachers becoming certified in SPED and increases federal fundsto provide early intervention services.
