The History of Special Education

Special Education History

Aug 2, 1965

Congress adds Title VI to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 creating a Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (this bureau today is called the Office of Special Education Programs or OSEP).

The Supreme Court Decision

May 20, 1972

Two significant supreme court decisions [PARC v. Pennsylvania (1972) and Mills v. D.C. Board of Education (1972)] apply the equal protection argument to students with disabilities.

Rehavilitation Act of 1973

Sep 21, 1973

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is enacted into statute. This national law protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability.

FERPA

Apr 4, 1974

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is enacted.

EAHCA

Jul 6, 1986

The EAHCA is amended with the addition of the Handicapped Children’s Protection Act.

IDEA

Aug 19, 1990

The EAHCA is amended and is now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

ADA

Oct 26, 1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is enacted.

IDEA Reauthorized

Nov 13, 1997

IDEA reauthorized ***This amendment calls for students with disabilities to be included in on state and district-wide assessments. Also, Regular Education Teachers are now required to be a member of the IEP team.

No Child Left Behind

Jul 24, 2001

No Child Left Behind is enacted. ***This law calls for all students, including students with disabilities, to be proficient in math and reading by the year 2014.