History of Special Education

By JenniferAvila11

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education was the Supreme Court Case that declared racial segregation was unconstitutional. Many lawsuits made up the case that gave it the attention it needed to rise to Supreme Court. This case is considered the trailblazer in court cases in advancement of education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRYK4RWyUAo

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was enacted to help those students who were considered "disadvantaged" to provide them with other educational opportunities with federal funds. The goal of ESEA was to close the achievement gap between low-income schools and similar schools with a different demographic. Since 1965, ESEA has been revisited and revised to fit the current needs of our changing country.

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act established that schools must create a learning environment with no discrimination so that all students can learn and achieve their educational goals, no matter their disability. Section 504 gave students with disabilities access to resources they previously did not have access to. Schools must offer these students the appropriate accommodations through federal funds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bniMv1pknDw

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) was the law that mandated a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities. It forced schools to develop and create Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for all students with special needs and emphasized the importance of placing students with disabilities in their least restrictive environment. EAHCA laid the foundation for many special education laws that came to be after.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) promises students with disabilities that they will have access to a free and appropriate public education in the United States. IDEA requires public schools to develop and implement IEPs for these students and their specific and unique abilities. The act also emphasizes the importance of placing students in their LRE and allows parents to have a voice in their students' education.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that prohibits any discrimination towards people with disabilities in all forms of life. This includes education, public transportation, and employment. ADA strives to ensure that people with disabilities are included in society and have the same opportunities as their peers without disabilities. This is relevant in education as it requires schools to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities.

  • IDEA Amendments

    Amendments were made to IDEA in 1997 to involve students with disabilities more in the general education setting. The amendments also helped to include parents more in the team of IEP meetings. Also, the amendments addressed behavior and discipline for students with disabilities. As a whole, the amendments helped to promote equity, accountability, and created better outcomes for students with disabilities.

  • No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was enacted in 2001 to improve educational outcomes for all students, specifically those that were considered at a disadvantage. The law called on schools to give standardized testing to assess gaps among populations and recognize highly qualified teachers with funding towards programs. NCLB faced criticism for its dependency on state testing and the pressure it put on schools as a whole to reach benchmarks.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0--2nhsDorg

  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

    The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into effect in 2015, replacing NCLB. ESSA aimed to provide more flexibility in their assessments and setting standards within the curriculum. ESSA also allowed for states to create their own accountability systems to focus on student success. This law emphasized the importance of supporting disadvantaged students, including students with special needs.

  • COVID-19 Pandemic

    The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted special education due to school closures and the transition to online learning. Teachers and students alike had to adapt quickly to this new modality; special educators had to get creative with how they provided virtual accommodations and services. The pandemic highlighted the issue with access to technology across the U.S. due to different socioeconomic situations of students and their families. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT_2jucdcpQ