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First Special Education Class
As teachers started to observe that there were more and more students with disabilities, they called for a special education class. In 1896, Rhode Island was first to open a public special education class in the United States. By the year 1923, there were approximately 34,000 students enrolled in special education class in the public school system. -
Parent & Family Advocacy
In the 1930's parents and families with children with disabilities started to stand up for their children. They organized groups that would advocate for the children's rights. For example, the families rallied for a better education, community services, and institutional reform. Families started to feel less and less shame of their relative with disabilities. -
First Special Olympics
Chicago held the first Special Olympics in 1968. Special Olympics is an international organization that started with a physical education teacher named Anne McGlone Burke. The Special Olympics has helped people with disabilities gain social skills, confidence, and self accomplishments. Go to [https://www.specialolympics.org] to find out more about the Special Olympics -
PARC VS Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was sued by the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) in this court case. From this case it was determined that all persons could benefit from education no matter if they had a mental disability. It also determined that it was the schools responsibility to create free programs to educate students with disabilities appropriately. -
Section 504
Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was out in place to make it illegal for any institution that received federal funding to discriminate a person based on a disability. It was the first disability civil law in the United States. Today, Section 504 works with IDEA and ADA to protect the rights of children with disabilities in the school system. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)- PL 94-142
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) was a federal law passed in 1975. It is also known as Public Law 94–142 and as The Bill of Rights for students with disabilities. The law forced schools to provide appropriate educational services for all children ages 3-21. The name of the law has now been changed to IDEAL, Individuals with Disability Education Improvement Act. IDEA outlines the minimum guidelines schools must meet. -
PL 94-142 Changes Name to IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), had additional requirements to PL 94-142. One change was the requirement for students to have a transition plan by the time they turn 16 years old. Plans for additional education, living arrangements, and work/vocation training are required to be part of the IEP. IDEA also, added autism and traumatic brain injury as disability categories. -
Amendment to IDEA
10 changes to IDEA in 1997.1)Students with disabilities were disciplined the same as students without disabilities only if misbehavior was not manifestation of the disability2)IEP included a statement on how they will be involved in general curriculum3)Transition planing must be documented at age 14.4)General educators formed the IEP team5)Annual goals were prioritized 6)Students were assessed for AT.7)Related services for blind8)Mediation services9)Assessments10)Included in statewide assessment -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act started to hold schools administration, and teachers accountable. The goal was to provide all students with highly qualified teachers and to help close gaps. But this Act puts more pressure on students and teachers to do well on high stakes testing.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0--2nhsDorg -
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. This act focuses on preparing all students for success in college and careers.The main purpose of ESSA is to make sure public schools provide a quality education for all kids. It gives states a central role in how schools account for student achievement. This includes the achievement of disadvantaged students that live in poverty, students of color, students in special education and students with limited English.