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First School of Special Education
First school of special education was the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons in Hartford, Ct. At the time, the term “dumb” referred to someone “unable to speak.” A total of seven students were enrolled in the first year. The school provided instruction in math, reading, writing, geography, history, and the bible. First Special Ed School -
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Is the largest international professional association of educators dedicated to the advancement of children with exceptionalities. This is accomplished through advocacy, standards and professional development for special educators. CEC website -
The Arc
The Arc was established by a group of parents expressing concerns in regards to education of children with specials needs. The Arc was the first organization to put money into research on intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc has been supporting parents and children with advocacy through federal legislations. It currently includes 730 chapters in 39 states ranging from small voluntary groups to professional organizations. The Arc website -
Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) P.L. 89-10
This is a title one program aimed to develop programs and curriculum materials to better serve economically disadvantage students and students with disabilities. This law provides financial assistance to local educational agencies for children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. The government has reauthorized the act every five years since its enactment. -
The Handicapped Children’s Early Education Assistance Act P.L. 90-538
The first legislation focusing exclusively on education of all children with disabilities. The funding went towards preschool and early education programs. It includes identification of eligibility, interventions, and providing supports for the children and their families. P.L. 90-538 -
PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania sided in favor of students with intellectual and learning disabilities in state-run institutions. The ruling called for students with disabilities to be placed in publicly funded school settings that met their individual educational needs, based on a proper and thorough evaluation. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act (VRA) P.L. 93-112, Section 504
Rehabilitation Act Section 504 – was the country’s first civil rights law for people with disabilities. This act covers both school age children and adults. Prohibits exclusion of students from programs due to lack of services and protects students who are ineligible for services through IDEA but have physical or mental impairments that limit one or more life activities. It provides the right to reasonable accommodations.
Section 504: Explained -
Educational Amendments Act P.L. 93-380
Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Title I). Grants federal funds to state for programming for exceptional learners. First federal funding of state programs for students who are gifted and talented. Grants students and families the right to due process in special education placement. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 P.L. 94-142, Part B
(Acronyms EAHCA or EHA)
This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education for children with physical and mental disabilities ages 5-18. This law defined least restrictive environment (LRE) and implemented the use of individual education plans( IEP.) P.L. 94-142 -
Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA) Amendments. P.L. 99-457
This was an amendment to the EHA to include infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities. It includes an extension to children ages 3-5 and provides comprehensive early intervention programs for children and families from birth to 3 years. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) P.L. 101-336
Its overall purpose is to make American Society more accessible to people with disabilities. ADA does not provide funding for services or accommodations. ADA is a civil rights law that protects persons with disabilities in employment (Title I), public services (Title II), public accommodations (Title III), telecommunications (Title IV) and miscellaneous (Title V). ADA: What is it? -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) P.L. 101-476
Renames and replaces P.L. 94-142 (EAHCA) law that establishes person-first language, makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. Included two new categories: autism and traumatic brain injury. IDEA: History & Summary -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
P.L. 105-17: Included Individualized Educational Plans, enhanced educational accountability, provided standards when disciplining children with disabilities, offered mediation services to parents, and reformulated the distribution of the federal appropriations. IDEA Website -
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)
P.L. 107-110 This is the current version of the ESEA of 1965. This legislation is important because it ensures that students with learning disabilities are able to reach high levels of academic standards like those of “typical” peers. NCLB is based on four principles- (1) stronger accountability for results, (2) increased flexibility and local control, (3) expanded options for parents and (4) an emphasis on teaching qualifications & methods. NCLB: An Oral History -
Assistive Technology Act P.L. 108-364
Promoted awareness and access to assistive technologies (AT). It aimed to provide AT to individuals with disabilities to enhance independent participation in education, employment, and daily activities. Includes low tech, medium tech, and high tech. Overview -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA) P.L. 108-446
This act reauthorized IDEA of 1997. It aims at helping children learn better by promoting accountability, enhancing parent involvement, allowing districts to use response-to-intervention (RTI) model to determine if a child has a specific learning disability and raises standards for special education licensure. Parent Guide -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Reauthorizes ESEA of 1965. Provisions include requiring to teach all students to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college & careers, accountability to effect positive change in lowest-performing schools, increasing access to high-quality preschool programs and providing vital information to educators, students & families through annual statewide assessments that measure students’ progress towards those high standards.
ESSA: New Law
