Key Events in Special Education

By E012562

  • Gallaudet University

    The first University created specifically for those with hearing impairments(deaf). Society was moving for educational reform and were searching new ways to educate those with disabilities(Disability History: Educational Reform (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.))

  • White House Conference on Disabilities

    A conference held in order to search for answers to better serve youth with disabilities. One of the main goals of this conference was to establish programs for students with disabilities and special needs(Yell, 2016).

  • Brown vs Board of Education

    First and foremost the elimination of segregation in schools as it was seen as damaging to the educational attainment of minorities(Yell, 2016). This was decision was also seen as equally positive for those who suffer from a disability being segregated out of the schools.

  • PARC vs Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The plaintiffs argued that was who were labeled "mentally retarded" were not receiving equal treatment in public schools. The ruling provided Free and Appropriate Public Education for those with "mental retardation"(Yell, 2016)

  • Mills vs Board of Education

    The court provided a ruling that since segregation based on race was unconstitutional that segregating students with disabilities would also be against the law(Yell, 2016). This still effects Special Education today as there are safeguards and procedures for identifying, placing, or excluding students with disabilities from the classroom.

  • Section 504 Rehabilitation Act

    People with disabilities were no longer able to be discriminated against in places that receive federal funding(Yell, 2016). There were safeguards put in place for those with a disability. Institutions needed to provide reasonable accommodations, physical accessibility, and program accessibility to meet the needs of everyone including those with a disability.

  • Education of All Handicapped Children Act

    Federal funding was provided to states that agreed to provide education and resources to those with disabilities(Yell, 2016). The first concept of the Individualized Education Plan was implemented. While it has continued to evolve through today this was the first time districts were required to have plans to show the specialized instruction for those with a disability.

  • Individual with Disabilities Education Act

    While the EAHCA was developed it was renamed IDEA under this new act. It added new disabilities that would be covered under IDEA including Traumatic Brain Injuries and Autism(Yell, 2016). This Act also provided repercussions that districts were not immune from liability under the 11th Amendment. This Act was beginning of what has continued to be expanded upon and influences the treatment and education of those with disabilities today.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    The purpose was to expand the scope covered under the Rehabilitation Act to provide support for those seeking employment, housing, accommodations, education, etc(Yell, 2016). The further hope was to end discrimination nationwide against those with a disability.

  • President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education

    The purpose was to recommend reforms and solutions to close that gap that had started to be rectified through No Child Left Behind. The Commission was trying to make special education accountable for outcomes by relying on scientifically based programming and research. The results would be based on the educational attainment of those in special education and the improvement in their results from instruction.

  • Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

    Provided new criteria for the districts including outlining what a qualified teacher is. Continued to reformulate and reorganize the usage of IEP's in the district. This Act also eliminated the use of short term objectives in the IEP(Yell, 2016). The Improvement Act also provided outlines and guidelines for using the Response to Intervention(RTI) model when working with those who were labeled learning disabled.

  • References

    Disability History: Educational Reform (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/articles/disabilityhistoryedreform.htm Yell, M. L. (2016). The law and special education (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134035925 Retrieved from:
    http://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/pearson/2015/law-and-special-education-the_ebook_4e.php