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White House Conference on the Care of Dependent Children / Raising Public Awareness
The White House Conference of 1909 was created to increase public awareness and address children’s issues, including the detrimental effects of institutionalizing dependent and neglected children. The members discussed the importance of family and a home as part of their proposals. They also went over the establishment of a foster care program, education, and medical care for children in foster care. This conference led to the creation of what is now known as the Child Welfare League of America. -
Founding of Council for Exceptional Children
The International Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was founded by a group of students from Teachers College at Columbia University and their professor Elizabeth Farrell. Since then, it has become the largest professional organization working on behalf of children with exceptionalities. It can trace its roots back to New York State, which has played a crucial role in the advocacy and education of children with exceptionalities.
https://exceptionalchildren.org/ -
Racial Segregation is Unconstitutional / Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a pivotal court case, which paved the way for future laws that would protect the disabled's rights and grant them access to public education. This case ruled that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. This case played a crucial role in the history of special education; it was the 1st time the federal government had supported students who experienced inequality at school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Pe3BTa1O8 -
Disabled Students Unprotected in Illinois / Department of Public Welfare v. Haas
Despite the ruling of the Brown v. Board of Education case, children with disabilities remained unprotected. As a result, in the Department of Public Welfare v. Haas case, the Supreme Court of Illinois upheld the state’s education laws, which did not require them to offer free public education for the “feebleminded” or “mentally deficient children.” According to them, it was unnecessary because these children would not be able to reap the benefits of a good education. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is the national education law, which shows a longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students. This act authorized eligible schools and districts to participate in special education incentive programs. Although they benefited from this, they also aided with improving struggling learners' academic achievement and addressing the complex challenges that arise for all types of students with learning disabilities and developmental levels. -
Free Education for Some of the Disabled / Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v Board of Education
The PARC v. Board of Education case ruled that students with disabilities between the ages of 6 and 21 were entitled to free public education. In other words, all children who fit the category were able to receive a free public education regardless of their abilities. This ruling also stated that special education programs must be similar to the general education programs in place at the time. -
IDEIA and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of ’73 defines a "handicapped" person and appropriate education. At the same time, this act prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in federally funded programs. Therefore, these agencies must provide the same services to all individuals regardless of disabilities. -
Free Education for All Disabled / The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Mainstreaming Law) or P.L. 94-142
The passing of The Education for All Handicapped Children Act obligated schools to offer free education for everyone. This ensured that all children, regardless of their disability, receive a free and appropriate public education. In like manner, this act offered students nondiscriminatory testing, evaluation, and placement procedures, education in the least restrictive environment, procedural due process, and free, appropriate education as outlined by an individualized education plan (IEP). -
Free and Appropriate Public Education Defined / Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
In the ...Hendrick Hudson… v. Rowley case, a deaf 5th-grade student, Rowley, used a hearing aid that amplified her teacher's spoken words. Despite her disability, she was achieving better than the average student in her class. Although she may not have been achieving maximally and might have benefited from an interpreter, the court ruled that P.L. 94-142 requires states to provide sufficient support for students to benefit from a public education at a level typical of an average student. -
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990 requires public places to provide the same opportunities to individuals with disabilities as they do to the general public. Additionally, it provides disabled individuals with equal access and opportunities in the workforce. Overall, the act provides transportation, public accommodations, and access to all government services. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB guarantees that all children have a fair, equal, and meaningful opportunity to be provided a high-quality education. Building on IDEA, this act prohibits states and schools from excluding students with disabilities from accountability systems, thus, allowing parents to remain updated on how their child is doing. Lastly, the NCLB Act increased funding and placed more emphasis on annual testing, academic progress, teacher qualifications, among others. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
With the passing of this act, districts can now use a response-to-intervention (RTI) model for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability. As a result, it no longer requires that a child has a severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability to qualify. Moreover, IDEIA adopts policies designed to prevent the disproportionate representation of students in special education by race and ethnicity.
