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Early twentieth century
https://www.britannica.com/topic/education/Progressive-education
The Progressive education movement was part of a larger reform effort from late 1800s-early 1900s. Schools struggled to keep up with fast-changing social conditions. Reformers started with experimental schools to try out their new ideas. Supporters of the child-centered approach believed schools should adjust to fit each child's needs. This was later put into practice in the U.S. by educators like Francis Parker -
Brown v. Board of Education
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education
This landmark Supreme Court decision declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. It laid the groundwork for challenging discrimination against students with disabilities. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
https://www.ed.gov/essa
This Act was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who believed that "full educational opportunity" should be "our first national goal." This Act included provisions to improve the educational opportunities for disadvantaged children, including those with disabilities. It marked a significant federal commitment to education. -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
https://pubintlaw.org/cases-and-projects/pennsylvania-association-for-retarded-citizens-parc-v-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania/
This court case ruled that children with intellectual disabilities could not be denied access to public education. It was a major step towards ensuring educational rights for all children. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/mills-v-board-education-district-columbia-1972
This case extended the right to education to all children with disabilities, emphasizing that public schools must provide appropriate services to these students. In this case 7 children were denied public education by the District of Columbia School District because of their disabilities and the extra costs the school would face to accommodate them. The lawsuit was brought to court to fight for their right to education. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History
This Act guaranteed a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for children with disabilities and mandated the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Before EHA, many children were denied access to education and opportunities to learn. Since it was passed in 1975, there has been a lot of progress in creating and improving programs for early help, special education, and related services for students with disabilities. -
Amendments to EAHCA
https://www.congress.gov/bill/99th-congress/senate-bill/2294#:~:text=Requires%20that%20each%20handicapped%20infant,including%20the%20parent%20or%20guardian.
These amendments extended services to preschool-aged children with disabilities and emphasized early intervention. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
https://nche.ed.gov/legislation/idea/
https://disabilityrightsflorida.org/disability-topics/disability_topic_info/individuals_with_disabilities_education_act_of_2004_idea
The EAHCA was renamed IDEA, reinforcing the right to a free appropriate public education and incorporating additional provisions for transition planning and inclusion. IDEA also includes specific provisions related to special education for students experiencing homelessness. -
IDEA Amendments
https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/5
These amendments included provisions for greater inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education classrooms and increased accountability measures for schools. Previously, the law did not specifically incorporate disabled students within general education classrooms. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/no-child-left-behind-an-overview/2015/04
NCLB was created to deal with the worry that the American education system was falling behind other countries. This Act which was signed by president Bush at the time, aimed to improve educational outcomes for all students, including those with disabilities, by emphasizing standardized testing and accountability. -
IDEA Reauthorization
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/ideareathztn.asp#:~:text=On%20December%203%2C%202004%2C%20President,significant%20changes%20in%20the%20law.
The reauthorization focused on improving accountability and aligning educational standards, enhancing the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings. The requirements regarding “highly qualified” special education teachers took effect right away after being signed