History of Special Education

Training of Professional Personnel Act of 1959 (Public Law 86-158)

1959

This law facilitates the process of training leaders to help educate children with special needs. It provides financial assistance to educational institutions in order for them to train individuals who who seek careers in education. (IDEA-History.gov)

Berlin Wall Constructed Between East and West Germany

1961

Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963 (Public Law 88-164)

1963

This law expands upon previous training to include training across all disability areas. It allows for children of varying special needs to have good care in mental institutions (IDEA-History.gov).

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10) and the State Schools Act (Public Law 89-313)

1965

This law provides states with direct grant assistance to help educate children with disabilities. This act aimed to improve the quality of education for children with special needs by providing funds for professional development programs that went towards teachers and educational staff (educationonline.ku.edu).

Handicapped Children’s Early Education Assistance Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-538)

1968

This act provided support for excellent early childhood programs and increased Head Start enrollment for young children with disabilities. This gave children with disabilities a better chance at a quality education and provided great support for them (IDEA-History.gov).

America Achieves the First Moon Landing

1969

PARC v. Penn

Oct 8, 1971

This ruling called for students with disabilities to be placed in public schools which meet their individual educational needs. The would undergo a thorough evaluation to determine what those needs are (educationonline.ku.edu).

Congressional Investigation of 1972

1972

Congress set out to determine how many children with special needs were being underserved. They found that roughly 4.1 million children requiring special education were not having their needs met (educationonline.ku.edu).

Pablo Picasso Passes Away

1973

US Pulls Out of Vietnam War

1975

Public Law 94-142: The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

Nov 29, 1975

This law forced State and local education agencies to provide educational services for children with disabilities. The law has been reauthorized several times since its creation, the most recent being in 2004 (educationonline.ku.edu).

Aids Becomes Major Health Threat Everywhere

1981

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

Dec 3, 2004

Also known as IDEA 2004, this law forces public educational institutions to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities and prepares them for further education and living. It also protects the rights of them and their parents (educationonline.ku.edu).