History of Special Education

  • Compulsory Education Law of 1852

    Required every city and town in Massachusetts to offer primary school, focusing on grammar and basic arithmetic. By 1918, every state had a Compulsory Attendance Law.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    Declared that all people born in the United States were now citizens regardless of race, color or previous condition.
  • Plessy vs. Ferguson

    Upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation. Public facilities have to be equal in quality.
  • Compulsory Attendance Law

    By 1918, every state had a Compulsory Attendance Law.
  • Brown vs. Board of Education

    The Supreme Court found that segregated public schools are unequal.
  • Bureau of Education for Handicapped

    The purpose is to strengthen and coordinate activities on behalf of students with disabilities.
  • Wisconsin vs. Yoder

    Amish parents were exempt from such laws past 8th grade. Also, those who are homeschooled are also exempt as long as they follow and meet the standards.
  • PARC vs. Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania is responsible for providing free public education to all children. No child regardless of his/her disability could be turned down.
  • Mills vs. D.C. Board of Education

    The Board of Education cannot violate rights at due process and has an obligation to provide education for all students.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    Prohibits disability discrimination.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act

    Later reauthorized as IDEA.
  • Board of Ed. of Hendrick Hudson Central School Dist. v. Rowley

    Defined free appropriate public education.
  • Irving Independent School District v. Amber Tatro

    Supreme Court found that a medical treatment is a related service under the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and that the school is required to provide it.
  • Burlington Sch. Committee v. Mass. Board of Ed.

    Clarifies procedural safeguards, parent roles in educational decision making, tuition reimbursement for private placement, and child's placement during dispute about FAPE.
  • Honig v. Doe

    Discipline case on behalf of emotionally disturbed children who had academic and social problems.
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

    Prohibits disability discrimination by public entities.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)

    Free and appropriate education
  • Americans with Disability Act

    Civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of life.
  • No Child Left Behind