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Watson vs. The City of Cambridge
Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that a child who was "weak of mind" and could not benefit from instruction, troublesome to other children, made "unusual noises," and was unable to take, "ordinary, decent, physical care of himself" could be expelled from public school. (Yell, 2012, p. 36) -
1919 Beattie vs. Board of Education
The Wisconsin Supreme Court maintains a ruling that a student could be dismissed from school because they have a disability. The student suffers from a condition making them drool and make faces. Educators were not pleased and disgusted by this student. The courts sided with the school officials who debated that the student disrupted learning and took up too much of the teacher’s time (Yell, 2012, p. 36). -
Council for Exceptional Children is founded
The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of professional educators devoted to the progress and success of children with exceptionalities. The CEC accomplishes their “mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development” (Council for Exceptional Children, 2019). -
Classification of Autism
In 1943, Dr. Leo Lanner, an Austrian-American psychiatrist from Johns Hopkins University, introduced the classification of Autism. -
PARC vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The first right-to-education suit in the country, to overturn that Pennsylvania law and secure a quality education for all children. The case quickly settled before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pa., resulting in a consent decree in which the state agreed to provide a free public education for children with mental retardation (public interest law center, 2019). -
Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act
Protects students with special needs and disabilities from discrimination in federally funded public schools. A students is eligible when they have a physical or mental disability that will inhibit their learning. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
All states will be provided federal funding that educate students who have disabilities “with free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment” (YELL, 2012, p.42) ages 3-21. -
Handicapped Children’s Protection Act
A Law signed by Ronald Regan that gave parents who have children with disabilities, infants to age two years early intervention services. Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) are required for a child and their families. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1990 (IDEA)
Signed in to law by George W. Bush. It ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living (APA, 2017). -
IDEA Reauthorized
Children with disabilities are included to take part in state-wide testing and assessments. A General Education teacher is now required to be a member of the IEP team. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
States must test children in grades 3-8 and once in high school to assess proficiency in Reading and Math (Education Week, 2015). NCLB was established to help make sure students with learning disabilities “reach high levels of academic standards” along with “children in America’s public schools today” (National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2006). -
IDEA Reauthorized
Reconstructed the make-up of IDEA. It made changes to the IEP, due process, and student discipline. Response to Intervention (RTI) was also encouraged to be used to determine if a student had a learning disability (Yell, 2012).