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History of Special Education's Main Events
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Norm for Children with Disabilities to be Excluded from Public Schools
Massachusetts Supreme Court expelled a student with disabilities because of not having the ability to perform academically. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Homer Plessy filed a lawsuit after he refused to sit in the designated train car for black people. Plessy believed that his constitutional rights were violated. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to make segregation legal and created the "separate but equal" doctrine. Segregation would be legal as long as there were equal accommodations. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. The Board of Education established the beginning of the civil rights movement. The Supreme Court ended the "separate but equal" doctrine, but segregation in public schools continued. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
In an attempt to desegregate public schools, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) offered funding to public schools who admitted low income children and students with disabilities. ESSA also offered professional development for teachers and resources and involvement for parents. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The goal of PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was to change Pennsylvania law in regards to free public education for children with mental retardation. It was agreed in district court that children with mental retardation would receive free public education. The following year PARC II was filed to enforce Pennsylvania to follow through. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
Parents of 7 children filed the lawsuit, Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia, because they were denied public school education.The government and schools of District of Columbia claimed there wasn't enough funds to support students with disabilities. The court ruled that District of Columbia must provide free public school education. -
Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination towards individuals with disabilities. It protects individuals with disabilities in programs who receive funds. This law will later go hand in hand with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act
Education for all Handicapped Children Act required all schools to assess and develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with disabilities. It also required equal education opportunities, decisions that were made be fair and appropriate, provide funds, due process, and for students to be in the least restrictive environment (LRE). -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination to anyone with a disability. It protects individuals with disabilities when it comes to jobs, transportation, and any place public or private. -
IDEA
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, formerly known as Education for all Handicapped Act, gave more rights to students with disabilities. This law added free appropriate public education (FAPE) and in least restrictive environment (LRE). It includes students with disabilities receive the service they need, preparation for independence, assessments, and funding. -
No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act was created to increase student performance through adopting standardized tests. It held schools, treachers, and student performance accountable to receive federal funding. -
IDEA Improved
Amendments added to the original IDEA. The improvements included additional funds for intervention services, a Response to Intervention (RTI) model for determining a disability, and raised the special education standards.