Special Education History and Law

Brown vs. Board of Education

1954

Supporters of gaining educational rights for students with disabilities proposed that this law that prohibits schools from segregating by race also shows that schools should not segregate students based on disability and was used as a stepping stone towards equality in schools.

Special Education Time Span

Period: 1954 to 2015

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 P.L. 89-101

1965

States were able to obtain grant monies to assist them in educating students with disabilities and were provided federal monies to assist states in the education of students who were living below the poverty line. It also authorized funding to states to allow them to operate schools for students with disabilities.

Education of the Handicapped Act

1970

This merged federal grants that provided funding for students with disabilities into one grant and was the forerunner of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It also provided funding for specialized teacher training.

Education of all Handicapped Students Act of 1975 Public Law [P.L.] 94-142 / Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

1975

This was signed into law by President Ford and required all schools in the country to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all students regardless of disability. It also provided grant monies to states to help institute FAPE in their schools. Monies were provided to expand teaching staff and to provide further specialized training to meet the needs of their students.

Education of the Handicapped Act Amendment, P.L. 98-199

1983

This reauthorized discretionary programs and mandated training for parents. It also provided for school to work programs for students with disabilities.

Education of the Handicapped Act Amendment P.L. 99-457

1986

This authorized preschool programs for children 3-5 years of age who have disabilities. It also authorized early intervention programs for children birth-3.

Technology-Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act/ Tech Act

1988

This provided federal funds to states to provide assistive technology to individuals with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1990

This prohibited discrimination against persons with disabilities. It affects “private-sector employment, transportation, state and local government activities and programs, privately operated businesses that are open to the public … and telecommunications” as well as providing protection against discrimination of people with disabilities in the workplace

Education of the Handicapped Act Amendment P.L. 101-476

1990

This changed the name of the law to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It added the qualifying categories for Traumatic Brain Injury and for Autism and included mandates for transition services to students 16 and up.

IDEA Amendment

1997

This provided transition plans for students with disabilities who were 14 and older, accommodated participation in state and district mandated testing,gave discipline guidelines, and addressed transition services from high school for students with disabilities.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

2001

This updated the Elementary and Secondary School Act of 1965 and affected all students by holding schools accountable for student outcomes

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

2004

Re authorization of IDEA
It now covers students with disabilities from birth to 21 years of age

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, IDEA re-authorized

2004

Provided minor changes in wording as well as major changes including for evaluation of students with disabilities, highly qualified teacher status guidelines, funding for early intervention services, Increased the level of funding from the federal government to states,and child find services.

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

2015

Replaced NCLB and reduced the federal governments role in educatrion. It allows states to set their own goals regarding accountability on student outcomes on testing and graduation rates