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First Special Ed Class
Rhode Island establishes the first special education class in 1896. -
34,000 Students enrolled in Special Education
By 1923, approximately 34,000 students with disabilities were enrolled in special education classes -
Congress creates Bureau of Education for the Handicapped
Congress adds Title VI to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, creating a Bureau of Education for the Handicapped. Today, this bureau is called the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). -
Two court decisions further education for children with special needs
PARC v. Pennsylvania and Mills v. DC Board of Education apply equal protection argument to students with disabilities -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This law protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. -
P.L. 94-142 Passed
The Education for all Handicapped Children (PL 94-142) is enacted. This mandated all school districts to educate children with disabilities. Today it is known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). -
PL 94-142 amended with Handicapped Children's Protection Act
This amendment clearly states that children and parents have rights under IDEA and Section 504. -
Americans with Disabilities Act Passed
Americans with Disabilities Act enacted. -
IDEA Reauthorized
IDEA amended. New amendments call for students with disabilities to be included in state and district-wide assessments. Classroom teachers also now required to be part of the IEP team. -
No Child Left Behind
This law calls for all students to be proficient in math and reading by 2014. -
IDEA Reauthorized again
Most notable changes are more accountability at state and local levels, as well as school districts providing adequate instruction and intervention in order to keep students in mainstream classes and out of special education classes
