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FEDERAL LAW ADDRESSING CARE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The fifth congress passed the federal law that addressed the care of people with disabilities, signed by President John Adams. The law allowed for a marine hospital service to provide medical care for disabled seamen. This service later became known as the "Public Health Service". The services set in place were mainly for war veterans of war related disabilities. There were few laws in place for the purpose of providing aid to other people with disabilities that were non-war related. -
FIRST SPECIAL SCHOOL OPENED IN HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
The "American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb" was the first special school or institution created in Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet founded it. This paved the way for 23 out of 38 states opening an institution by 1860. Gallaudet believed that it was his moral and spiritual responsibility to educate the disabled. The school is now known as the "American School for the Deaf". -
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON MENTAL RETARDATION IS FORMED
The American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR) is formed. The organization's name was later changed to the American Association on Intellectual and Developental Disabiliies (AAIDD). AAIDD advocated for the equal treatment and human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is the oldest organization in its field.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES -
FIRST SPECIAL CLASS IN RHODE ISLAND
The state of Rhode Island opened the first public special education class i the state. This was the start of special education. The incidence of students with disabilities increased and classes taught by special teachers were created to teach this population. Institutions were created of many of these special classes in order to search for strategies to educate people with disabilities. -
BEATTIE VS. THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
In the court case of Beattie vs. The Board of Education, Merritt Beattie petitioned to be admitted into the school system. Beattie had a physical disability due to paralysis at birth, consisting of speech problems, lack of control of voice, hands and feet, as well as uncontrollable flow of saliva. Despite the physical disabilities, Beattie was fully mentally capacitated, and he felt that he could keep up with the rest of his peers academically. The court denied his wish. -
PARC VS. PENNSYLVANIA
PARC vs. Pennsylvania established that students with disabilities have a right to FAPE. PARC fought the state law that denied 14 students with developmental disibilities who had been denied access to a public education because they hadn't reached the mental age of 5 years old upon entering 1st grade. The Mills vs. Board of Education case extended these rights by mandating that schools were toprovide services regarless of whether or not districts had the money to pay for them. -
THE EDUCATION FOR ALL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ACT / PL 94-142
PL-142 was signed by President Gerald Ford. This law has been revised over time and is known today as the basis for the rights and services in special education. It requires that states receive federal funds to provide to students with disabilities. The law called for FAPE and placement in their LRE. Additionally, written permission from the parent would be required prior to evaluations, IEPs, as well as informing parents of due process procedures to challenge school actions and decisions. -
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT / IDEA 1997
EAHCA was renamed "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act". Changes that took place in this amednment included transition at 14, discipline, general ed progress statement, adding the general education teacher to the IEP team, etc.
What is Special Education? -
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT / NCLB
The principles of NCLB include making teachers accountable for student performance based on standardized assessments, an emphasis based on research-based practices to be implemented in the classroom, more parental involvement in the child's education and expanded local control and flexibility. Goals included improving academic performance for all students and closing the achievement gap between poor performing and high performing peers. -
IDEA 2004
IDEA 2004 was signed by President Bush. IEA and NCLB changed the expectations and accountability involving the education of students with special needs. Some important provisions of IDEA include special education teachers adhering to procedural safe guards, as due process officers will examine the child's special education program in order to determine if FAPe was received, changes in meeting procedure for IEP modification after annual meeting, and the need for measure and observable goals.
