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First Special Ed Class in the US.
Teachers in public education began to see the need for special education classes as they became more aware of the increasing number of students that were being labeled as “backward” or “feeble minded”. Rhode Island was the first state to include a special education class in the United States in 1896. By 1923, 34000 students were attending special education classes. mn.gov -
Inclusion...Brown v. The Board of Education
In 1954, the Supreme Courts ruled with Brown v. Board of Education that school segregation was unconstitutional, based on race regardless of the equal resources for schools. This was the beginning of advocacy against prejudice and inequality in the school systems of the US. Which paved the way for advocacy of the inequality of children with disabilities education. The beginning of Inclusion. Youtube -
Dept. of Public Welfare v. Haas
In 1958, court cases still ruled in favor of excluding children with disabilities from public school settings. In Department of Public Welfare v. Haas, the Supreme Courts of Illinois declared that the state laws of education did not require public education systems to provide free public education to “Feebleminded” or children that were “Mentally deficient”. Those who because of their disabilities were not able to benefit from education could legally be excluded from receiving an education. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The (ESEA) Act was passed in 1965. With this Act the Federal government was able to protect children that had disadvantages that would label them as children that do not benefit from education. One issue it focused on was hunger in low income students. This act created the free and reduced lunch system. But this grant program encouraged states to put more effort into programs and systems that aided students with disabilities. No guidelines as to how were given with this Act. -
The PARC case
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was a case that was taken to the state and challenged the constitutionality of denying and excluding individuals with mental retardation from an equal education and training opportunities. The State was not allowed to deny either. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The EAHCA Act of 1975 is known as the Mainstreaming Law because this act required the practice of The Least Restrictive Environment system which promotes inclusion. In which students with disabilities would receive education in environments with students without disabilities based on their academic, social, and emotional capabilities. This act required states to provide free and appropriate education for children with disabilities. MS Law Referred to ages 5-18 -
FAPE Case
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley. This case clarified what free and appropriate public education entailed. Rowley is a student that has a hearing impairment that used hearing aids to assist with her education in an inclusive setting. An interpreter could have helped her at an optimum level. The state requires sufficient but not the best possible support for students with disabilities. -
Amendments of EAHCA PB Law 99-457
The beginning of Early Intervention. The Education of the Handicapped Act was amended in 1986 to include children under the ages of 5. The Act required states to provide appropriate education for children with disabilities ages 3-5 at no cost. This act also created early intervention programs and systems to help children with disabilities from birth. Focusing on preparing children with disabilities for the challenges ahead. 1986 -
IDEA ACT
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act replaces the EAHCA act. This act establishes the people first language. In which a child is not defined by their disability. “Autistic Child” defines a child versus “A child with Autism” states the disability a child has. This act includes social work services. Extends Due Process and confidentiality. Includes bilingual education. Requires transition programs for life after school. And adds new categories of disabilities. -
IDEIA Act
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004, allows districts to use the Response To Intervention model to determine a child's needs without requiring severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability. Federal Funds increase to support early intervention programs for those who do not need special education. Eliminates use of short term objectives in IEPs. Raises standards of special education licensure. The prevention of disproportionate representation.