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Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (ACLD) held its first conference in Chicago
This group changed its name to Learning Disabilities Association of America -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
ESEA is an extensive statute that funds primary and secondary education, emphasizing high standards and accountability. -
Bureau of Education for Handicapped
Bureau of Education for the Handicapped is created
Later named Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
This program placed a focus on students with special needs and began to place these needs in public view. -
Societyal View (Lippman)
Lippman (1972) observed that in many European countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, citizens with disabilities are more accepted than in the United States. He also found that, these countries provided more effective rehabilitation services. The prevalent philosophy in Scandinavian countries is acceptance of social responsibility for all members of the society, without regard to the type or degree of disabling condition. -
Rehabilitation Act
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment and in the employment practices of federal contractors. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Until this time, many students with disabilities were not allowed to attend school at all. The act contained a provision stating that students with disabilities should be placed in least restrictive environment in order to allow the maximum possible opportunity to interact with non-disabled peers. -
National Down Syndrome Society
Carson Goodwin was born to Barton & Betsy Goodwin in 1978. Learning she had Down syndrome, the Goodwins dedicated themselves to gathering as much information as possible and creating opportunities for Carson to grow and learn like any other child. They discovered that support and resources available to parents of a child with Down syndrome were very limited. Betsy began collaborating with her friend, Arden Moulton, and in 1979 the National Down Syndrome Society gained official nonprofit status. -
After IDEA and decades of campaigning and lobbying, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed
This ensured the equal treatment and equal access of people with disabilities to employment opportunities and to public accommodations. The ADA was intended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, services rendered by state and local governments, places of public accommodation, transportation, and telecommunications services. -
The EHA was reformulated as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
IDEA elaborated on the inclusion of children with disabilities into regular classes and also focused on the rights of parents to be involved in the education decisions affecting their children. IDEA required that an Individualized Education Program (IEP) be designed with parental approval to meet the needs of every child with a disability. -
IDEA was reauthorized
In addition to upholding the rights outlined in previous legislation. The act emphasized academic outcomes for students with disabilities. This involved raising expectations for students, supporting students who follow the general curriculum, supporting parents, and helping states determine appropriate outcomes. With the focus on outcomes, school-to-work transition planning gained new importance. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act authorizes several federal education programs that are administered by the states. The law is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Under the 2002 law, states are required to test students in reading and math in grades 3–8 and once in high school. -
IDEA reauthorized
Concept of "response to intervention" introduced into eligibility of students with learning disabilities. -
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is a US law passed in December 2015 that governs the United States K–12 public education policy. The law replaced its predecessor, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), and modified but did not eliminate provisions relating to the periodic standardized tests given to students. -
Changes in special education professional terminology
Rosa's Law changes references to “mental retardation” in Federal law to “intellectual disability” or “intellectual disabilities.” These final regulations implement this statutory change in applicable Department of Education regulations.