Timeline of Special Education

Sources

The Future of Special Education

• Krishnan, Sriram. "Eileen Soon: The Future of Special Education Is Exciting If We Dare to Reimagine It." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 9 Apr. 2016. Web. 13 Sept. 2016.
• "Past, Present, and Future of Special Education." Concordia University, 27 Sept. 2012. Web. 13 Sept. 2016.
• "Thirty Years of Progress for Students with Disabilities." PsycEXTRA Dataset (n.d.): n. pag. Department of Education, Nov. 2010. Web. 13 Sept. 2016.
• Wright, Pete. "The History of Special Education Law - Wrightslaw." The History of Special Education Law - Wrightslaw. Wright's Law, 29 Nov. 2010. Web. 13 Sept. 2016.

Various Amendments to EHA

The future of special education should be focused on furthering improved outcomes for students through earlier intervention, increased funding, and a revamp of the educational system in general.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

• 1986 Amendments - extended services to all children with disabilities, beginning at birth
• 1983, 1990, and 1997 Amendments - each provided support to the initiation of transition programs from High School to Adulthood.

On December 3, 2004, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act is amended and renamed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. The amendments to this act focus on improving outcomes through early intervention and bringing in more highly-qualified teachers.

Public Law 94-142

Timeline of the History of Special Education

On November 19, 1975, Congress implements Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This act is put into place to ensure that children with disabilities have access to an education through due process of law. It would later be renamed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1990.

PARC and Mills Cases and Congressional Investigation

In the 1970's, two major cases end up being monumental in the future creation of IDEA: Pennsylvania Assn. for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia. In the first landmark case, it is determined that educational placement decisions must include a process for resolving disputes and allow for parental participation. In the second case, a standard for disciplining "exceptional" children is set which must be based on due process of law.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Brown v. Board of Education

In 1965, congress creates ESEA to help secure equal educational opportunity for "underprivileged" children. In 1966, congress amends ESEA to create a grant program in order to help states with the creation and implementation of special education programs.

Early Special Education Programs

In 1954, this landmark civil rights case ends segregation based on race and opens the door for equal education opportunities for those with learning disabilities.

During the 19th century, "delinquency prevention programs" are implemented for children considered "at risk". Though specific special education programs do exist in the 19th century, they become much more common in the 1940's.

Federal Legislation Between 1954 and 1965

• Training of Professional Personnel Act of 1959
• Captioned Films Acts of 1958
• Teachers of the Deaf Act of 1961