History of Special Education

By MPresley

  • Individual State Involvement

    The states individually began to help in small ways. These states were able to get some programs into public schools. It was programs primarily for the hearing and visual impaired; however, support groups were formed for the intellectual, developmental, and behavioral disabled children.

  • United Cerebral Palsy Association

    The United Cerebral Palsy Association was one of many parent based organizations used to advocate for their children with disabilities.

  • Learning Disabilities Association of America, LDA

    The Learning Disabilities Association of America was an organization parents put together in order to advocate for their children. These early associations helped get additional trained help, research started, and equipment necessary for their children. This was the initial step made by the parents to start changing things at a local, state, and federal level.

  • Public Law 88-164

    The Public Law 88-164 was established in 1963. This law was significant to the exceptional children because it helped get funding for trained professionals and research.

  • Mills v. Board of Education

    The Mills v. Board of Education Case was important because it ensured that there is no excuse for lack of funding on behalf of the school. If cut backs need to happen, then all programs should be cut back.

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    This is a very important event for children with exceptionalities. This section 504 provides students, who do not qualify as special education, to have modifications made. The Response to Intervention model is an important part of this process.
    For more understanding a video is provided in the link below by Teachings in Education. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxx6rQqIjpY]

  • Goss v. Lopez, Hairston v. Drosick

    These two cases, along with Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1972), helped put the responsibility on the schools. The children with exceptionalities are not to be turned away, they deserve the programs and help needed to be successful.

  • Public Law 94-142

    The Public Law 94-142, also known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, happened in 1975. The Act made sure that all children receive a public education. This was important for the children with exceptionalities because the IEP's became a part of the schools.

  • Larry P. v. Riles

    This case was very important for the exceptional children because of their placement in school. It confirms that no children are to be placed in special education without assessment and testing. This really helps the students who eventually can become apart of the tier 2 of RTI.

  • Jose v. Ambach

    This court case was significant to students with exceptionalities who were bilingual. The bilingual children need identification and evaluation. They also need the tools necessary to help them be successful.

  • Board of Education v. Rowley

    This was the court decision to say that children with disabilities should except to receive an appropriate education, not the best education. The courts stated that this was because of the limitation of resources in schools.

  • Public Law 99-457

    This Public Law 99-457 was sort of a replacer for the Public Law 94-142. It changed the law to providing care for infants to children the age of 5. The law is now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

  • Polk v. Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 6

    This case was based off of the Board of Education v. Rowley case. The courts said that though the children with disabilities are not receiving the best education, it must be an education that can more than support them in order to benefit from the education.

  • Geer v. Rome City School District

    This case was about a child with down syndrome. The child was placed in the regular classroom because of the need for inclusion. The inclusion was based of the Individual Disabilities Education Act.

  • American with Disabilities Act of 1992

    This public law 101-336 ensures that all children with exceptionalities are not turned away. It does not matter the race, color, origin, gender, or religion.

  • Oberti v. Board of Education of the Borough of Clementon School District

    During this case, the court decided that the school has the responsibility to ensure the inclusion of children with disabilities is appropriate. This is important because if the exceptional child has a more severe case then they should not be in the regular classroom. The regular classroom could be less beneficial to them, and also effect the other students when trying to learn.

  • No Child Left Behind Act

    The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was not intended just for children with exceptionalities but, it is extremely important for them. This act put the responsibility on the schools and educators to ensure that all students met a minimum requirement. The schools have to prove this with testing scores; however, this can effect the students with disabilities. The students may not actually be able to make it to that level of testing each year, or they excel and need more stimulation in class.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Act

    The Individuals with Disabilities Act was designed to change the Public Law 94-142. This law was to put into place better professionals, training, transitioning, and IEP.

  • Henrico County School Board v. R.T.

    This case is very important for the children with disabilities. The court reimbursed a family who was paying for their autistic child private school education. The school was not providing the appropriate education for the student and were required to do so.

  • L.I. v. Maine School Administrative District

    This case was significant event for children with autism. The child was not allowed in special education classes because of good academic standing; however, the student was suicidal and pronounced depressed by a professional doctor. The court ruled that the child needed to be in special education classes.

  • Winkleman v. Parma School District

    This case was important because it brought attention to the parents with exceptional children. The court ruled that in a free public education for students with disabilities, the parents need to be involved.

  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was used to change economic activity. The infant and toddlers with exceptionalities were affected by this act. The federal government issued a single time funding. For ages 0-2, $500 million, and for ages 3-5, $400 million.

  • RESOURCES

    Kirk, S., Gallagher, J., & Coleman, M. R. (2012,2015). Educating Exceptional Children (14th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.