Special Education History

  • First Federal Law for Individuals Disabilities

    First Federal Law for Individuals Disabilities
    In 1798, the Fifth Congress passed the first federal law concerned with the care of persons with disabilities (Braddock, 1987). This law authorized a Marine Hospital Service to provide medical services to sick and disabled seamen. Congress voted the bill and President John Adams signed. This considered as the stage of the early disability related to legislation.
  • The Rhode Island First Special Education Laws

    The Rhode Island First Special Education Laws
    In 1896, the state Rhode Island opened the first public special education class in the U.S. This was the start of special education. Many of these special classes were taught by special teachers in order to educate people with disabilities. Institutions were created to teach this population. The frequency of students with disabilities increased as well as the special classes.
  • ARC/NARC

    ARC/NARC
    In 1950, The National Association for Retarded Citizens was founded (NARC). It helped identify children with disabilities and mental retardation and bring them out of their houses. The organization works to support inclusion, independence, and self-determination for individuals with disabilities, and it advocates for laws that protect individuals with rights.
  • Brown vs Board of Education

    Brown vs Board of Education
    The District Court ruled in favor of the Board of Education, citing the U.S. Supreme Court precedent set in Plessy v. Ferguson.[20] Judge Walter Huxman wrote the opinion for the three-judge District Court panel, including nine "findings of fact," based on the evidence presented at trial.
  • The Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act

    The Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendment to the Social Security Act
    On October 24, 1963, President Kennedy signed the first major legislation to combat mental illness and retardation. The amendment incorporated several recommendations and provided planning grants to update intellectual disabilities programs. It also increased funding for prevention through maternity and infant care.“ Mental retardation ranks with mental health as a major health, social, and economic problem in this country. It strikes our most precious asset, our children.” —John F. Kennedy,
  • Public Law 94-142 EHACA

    Public Law 94-142 EHACA
    This was passed in 1975 and enacted in 1977 by President Gerald Ford is the foundation of today’s special education law, and known as the “Bill of rights” for students with disabilities and their families. Also known as Education for all Handicapped Children Act (EHA). Introduced the principles of FAPE for children with disabilities 3 to 21 years old, protection of the rights of children with disabilities and their parents including due process, Individualized Education Program (IEP).
  • Public Law 101-336 ADA

    Public Law 101-336 ADA
    1990 Public Law 101-336-Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) It extends civil rights protection to persons with disabilities in private sector employment, all public services, public accommodations, transportations and telecommunication. ADA makes sure that individuals with disabilities can put their education and training, authorized by IDEA and/or 504, to work. President Bush signed The Americans With Disabilities Act:
  • PARC

    PARC
    In 1971, this support was reinforced and extended to the state level when the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) filed a class action suit against their Commonwealth. This suit, resolved by consent agreement, specified that all children age six through twenty-one were to be provided free public education in the least restrictive alternative (LRA, which would later become the least restrictive environment (LRE).
  • President Clinton Act

    President Clinton Act
    In 2004 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004) signed been law in effects reauthorizing and updating then original IDEA legislation to further protect the rights of students with learning On June 4, 1997, President Clinton signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, PL 105-17, into law. This law amended and reauthorized the Individuals with Disabilities.
  • ESSA

    ESSA
    2015 the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is signed into law, emphasizing educational equity and access for all students, including those with disabilities. Since former president Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA into law in December 2015, states have been working on formulating their ESSA implementation plans for U.S. Department of Education review and approval. https://www.shapeamerica.org/advocacy/advocacy_action_center.aspx?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_eCGwPuGhgMVNYB