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Early Special Education Programs
In 19th century America, for most children with disabilities, special education programs were simply not available. Many early special education programs were private, and the quality and availability of programs varied between and within states. The first special education programs were delinquency prevention programs for “at risk” children who lived in urban slums. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
U.S. Supreme Court rules that American state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality. -
President John F. Kennedy creates Panel on Mental Retardation.
President Kennedy announces his intention to appoint "a panel of outstanding scientists, doctors, and others to prescribe a plan of action in the field of mental retardation. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, emphasized equal education for all. -
PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - PARC sues over a law that gives public schools the authority to deny a free education to children who had reached the age of 8, yet had not reached the mental age of 5. In 1972, the both sides settled after the evidence that was provided had been evaluated. A consent decree was given by the U.S. District Court ruling the existing law restricting kids ages six to twenty-one years of age as unconstitutional. -
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was enacted by Congress in 1975, requiring all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. Schools had to evaluation children with disabilities and create an educational plan with parent input. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a federal law that provides money for extra educational assistance for poor children in return for improvements in their academic progress. NCLB is the most recent version of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act. NCLB provisions apply to all students, including those whose disabilities require special education. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - 2004
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was reauthorized, modified, and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2004 (IDEA 2004).Congress increased the focus on accountability and improved outcomes by emphasizing reading, early intervention, and research-based instruction by requiring that special education teachers be highly qualified.
