Education 689 Historical Special Education Timeline by Kelsi Edens

By kelsiedens

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education addressed racial segregation, but had an influence in the field of special education. It was determined by this case that segregation is a violation of having equal educational opportunities. This case led to more of an understanding that all people have the right to a public education, regardless of their race, disability, or gender. https://www.naesp.org/sites/default/files/resources/1/Principal/2008/N-Oweb2.pdf

  • Public Law 88-164

    This law provided support to train teachers to work with children who have exceptionalities. The law was also used to demonstrate the best teaching practices to those students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and deafness. http://www.projectreachonline.org/sped_laws?article_id=172

  • The Education and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (PL 89-10)

    This act called for there to be funding for primary and secondary education for students in poverty as well as equal access for all students to have an education. Some of the things the funds from the law were authorized for include professional development and instructional materials. https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/idea-timeline https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/education/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-of-1965/

  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    PARC sued Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for denying education to certain children and challenged laws around the country that excluded children with disabilities from being taught in a special education program or with individuals who do not have a disability. The state was asked to provide the same level of education to all children and Commonwealth could no longer deny children with a disability the right to a free public education. https://www.rootedinrights.org/15321-revision-v1/

  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia

    This case was based on seven students who had been denied a place in public schools because of certain disabilities. The Court ruled that no child is allowed to be denied a public education because of behavioral, mental, physical, or emotional disabilities. https://disabilityjustice.org/right-to-education/

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (PL 93-112)

    This law is a federal civil rights law that is to prohibit the discrimination of people who have a disability in a program receiving federal funding. Individuals with a physical or mental disorder that significantly limits life activities could be eligible for protection under this law. They may also receive an Accommodation Plan to make sure they have the same access and opportunities that those without a disability have. http://www.projectreachonline.org/sped_laws?article_id=171

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)

    This law was to make sure that all children who have a disability have a free and appropriate public education available to them. There was an emphasis on special education and other services that can help meet the needs of each unique student. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea35/history/index_pg10.html Kirk, Gallagher, & Coleman (2014)

  • Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments (PL 99-457)

    This law is an expansion of coverage under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) as there was pressure to include younger children. This law provided the funds so that states could implement programs for children and their families starting at birth. This included an Early Intervention State Grant Program, preschool programs and the expansion of other programs. https://nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr9/Issue3/f090308.html Kirk, Gallagher, & Coleman (2014)

  • Public Law 101-476

    This law called for changes to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142). The legislation was renamed Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). This law required that students have an individual transition plan (ITP) as a part of their IEP. There was an expansion of related services that were added and autism as well as traumatic brain injury were identified as their own distinct category of disability. http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/special-education-public-policy/

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 101-336)

    This law was put into place to prohibit any discrimination against individuals with a disability. The ADA law gave civil rights protections to those who have mental or physical disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, telecommunications, and other miscellaneous things. https://cpr.bu.edu/resources/reasonable-accommodations/the-americans-with-disabilities-act-ada/

  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (PL 105-17)

    This law keeps the provisions from previous laws and adds some modifications. Some of the modification include students with disabilities participating in state and district assessments with the appropriate accommodations and the development and review of an individualized education plan (IEP). https://www.ericdigests.org/2000-2/act.htm

  • No Child Left Behind Act (PL 107-110)

    This law emphasizes more of a federal role for the academic progress of students. It has a special focus on the performance of certain groups such as students in special education, minority students, and others to boost their performance which is typically lower than that of their peers. States must test their students in math and reading in 3rd through 8th grade as well as once in high school. https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    This law makes a free and appropriate education available to children with disabilities who are eligible. This nationwide program ensures special education as well as related services to these individuals. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/

  • Amendment of Americans with Disabilities Act Title II and Title III Regulations to Implement ADA Amendments Act

    This law restored and revised the definition of the word "disability" to be more broad and for it to be used without an extensive analysis. This law is to prevent discrimination based on an individual's disability. https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/final_rule_adaaa.html

  • Every Student Succeeds Act

    This law reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It builds on important areas of progress and helps ensure success for schools and students. Among several other things this law requires that all students in the United States be taught to a higher academic standard that will better prepare them for success in college and a career. https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=ft