History of Special Education

  • Council for Exceptional Children founded

    Organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for exceptional students.
  • Classification of Autism

    Leo Kanner used term "infantile autism" to describe children who are socially isolated and withdrawn.
  • National Association for Gifted Children founded

    Advocates for gifted students in policies and legislation.
  • Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS

    Supreme Court ruled it is unlawful to discriminate against a group of individuals for arbitrary reasons.
  • National Defense Education Act of 1958

    Made federal funding available in support of programs to develop talents
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 Amendment

    Established grant program to improve programs for the education of handicapped children.
  • Diana v. State Board of Education

    Students cannot be placed in special education classes based on IQ tests that are culturally biased.
  • PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    State must guarantee a free and public education to all children with intellectual disabilities from ages 6-21 regardless of degree of impairment.
  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia

    Elaborate due process safeguards established to protect children's rights.
  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504

    Defines the eligibility for services as having a physical or mental impairment that affects one or more major life activities.
  • Lau v. Nichols

    Supreme Court ruled that providing the same facilities, textbooks, teachers and curriculum for non-English speaking students is not equality. It also required schools to offer special language programs to English learners.
  • Public Law 94-142

    All handicapped children have a right to free and appropriate public education and services that meets their needs.
  • Armstrong v. Kline

    The state's refusal to pay for schooling in excess of 180 days for pupils with severe disabilities is a violation of their rights to an appropriate education. Year-round education should be provided.
  • Tatro v. State of Texas

    U.S. Supreme Court held that catheterization qualified as a related service under PL 94-142 because it could be done by health care aid or school nurse.
  • Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley

    Supreme Court ruled that an appropriate education does not mean an education that will allow for the maximum possible achievement, but students must be given a reasonable opportunity to learn.
  • Public Law 99-457

    Mandated services for preschoolers with disabilities ages 3-5, permitted early intervention services for children birth through age 2 with delays or disabilities, and individualized family service plans were established.
  • Honig v. Doe

    A student can't be removed from school if an inappropriate behavior is a result of their disability.
  • Javits Gifted and Talented Act

    Gifted students have needs that must be met at the national level.
  • Timothy W. v. Rochester, New Hampshire School District

    Even severely handicapped children have a right to free and appropriate public education.
  • Daniel RR. v. State Board of Education

    Established a two-prong test for determining compliance with least restrictive environment for students with disabilities. The student must be able to make satisfactory progress in general education classroom with modifications and it must be determined if the student has been integrated to the maximum extent appropriate.
  • Public Law 101-476

    Legislation was changed to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Autism and traumatic brain injury were added disability categories. A requirement was also established for an individualized transition plan to be created for students with disabilities by age 16.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    Forbids the discrimination of individuals with disabilities in public and private sectors.
  • Oberti v Board of Education of the Borough of Clementon School District

    Placement in a general education classroom with supplementary aids and services must be offered to a student with disabilities prior to considering more segregated placements.
  • Sacramento City Unified School District v. Rachel H.

    Identified four factors to determine least restrictive environment for a child with disabilities. These included the educational benefits, social benefits, the impact of the student on the teacher and other students in the classroom, and the cost of aids and services to mainstream the student.
  • Agostini v. Felton

    Special educators can provide services to children in parochial schools.
  • Public Law 105-17

    Students with disabilities are required to participate in state and districtwide assessments. Orientation and mobility was included as a related service. General educators are required to participate on the IEP team.
  • Polk v. Central Susquehanna

    Each student is entitled to a meaningful education.
  • Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F.

    Intensive and continuous school health care services necessary for a student to attend school, if not performed by a physician, qualify as related services.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    Ensures that those in special education are exposed to a general education curriculum.
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004

    Transition planning is initiated with first IEP after student turns 16.
  • Schaffer v. Weast

    The burden of proof on appropriateness of a students IEP is placed on the party seeking relief.
  • Arlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy

    Parents are not entitled to reimbursement for the cost of experts because only attorney's fees are addressed in IDEA
  • Winkelman v. Parma City School District

    IDEA conveys enforceable rights to parents as well as their children.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008

    Created a broader definition of a disability.
  • Forest Grove School District v. T.A.

    IDEA authorizes reimbursement for private school education services when a public school fails to provide a free appropriate education and the private school placement is appropriate, regardless of whether the student previously received special education services from the public school.
  • Every Student Succeeds Act

    Reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.