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Mandated Compulsory Education
Rhode Island becomes the first state to pass legislature requiring the government to provide an education to all children. In the same law, all children in the state are required to receive said education. -
Council for Exceptional Children
In 1922, the Council for Exceptional Children was founded, becoming one of the first (and later, largest) advocacy groups for students with special needs. -
Cuyahoga Council for Retarded Citizens
Composed of five mothers of children with IDs, the group protested their children's exclusion from public schools. Eventually, a special classroom was created for these children, although the classroom was still sponsored by the parents. -
National Association for Retarded Citizens
Composed of 23 different advocacy groups that came together to form one, the NARC became the first national advocacy organization for people with disabilities. Later, the NARC would also become heavily involved in the passing of the IDEA. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
The famous court case that overturned Plessy vs. Ferguson's ruling of "separate but equal," bringing attention not only to blacks and whites in school, but also special needs vs. general education students. Brown vs. Board of Education ignited the rapid formation of numerous special education advocacy groups dedicated to educating the public on the needs of people with exceptionalities. -
Mills vs. Board of Education District of Columbia
Court case that created the classification of children with mental/learning disabilities or behavioral issues as "exceptional." Establishes precedent making it unlawful for schools boards to deny students with exceptionalities from access to public education -
Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is considered the first law that granted protections against discrimination for students with exceptionalities. Section 504 also outlines Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), two major components of special education -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This act ensured that all students with disabilities receive free special education. This act also provided special education students with access to supplemental services, due process, and least restrictive environments. -
Handicapped Children's Protection Act
This act granted the parents of children with exceptionalities greater influence in the development of their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), an important development for encouraging greater parent involvement in their child's education -
Americans with Disabilities Act
One of the most important laws passed for people with special needs. This act guarantees people with special needs the same rights as people without special needs and prohibits discrimination at school, at work, and in everyday society. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law that guarantees free and appropriate educations to children with special needs through individualized, tailored approaches. IDEA is made up of six primary components - these are IEP, LRE, FAPE, evaluation, procedural safeguards, and parent/student involvement. In 2004, IDEA was reauthorized and amended to better provide equal access to education.