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Rhode Island
Rhode Island opened the first public education class in the U.S. This was because Rhode Island passed a law that the government must provide, and all children must receive an education. It implemented compulsory attendance laws. However these laws did not extend to minority and students with disabilities. -
Racial discrimination in schools addressed
In the case of Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka, the court acknowledged that racial segregation of students was unlawful and Mr. Chief Justice Warren stated that as every child should have equal rights to an education, in accordance with the law. -
Civil Rights Movement and Special Education
During the 1960's and the growth of the Civil Rights movement, there was also a rise in the Disability Rights movement, as people with disabilities fought for equal access and rights to resources in their community. -
ESEA Act 1965
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the major federal education law that was first enacted in 1965. It was initially passed in response to Lyndon B. Johnson administration's War on Poverty. The goal was to provide federal funding to districts serving poor students.
This Act holds school districts accountable for the funds they spend on services for students at risk, such as students with disabilities. -
"Bill of Rights"
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act became law in 1975.
This was known as the "Bill of Rights" for students with disabilities and their families. It set out comprehensively what services students with disabilities should receive, such as a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each child identified with a disability. -
Least Restrictive Environment
IDEA also introduced the concept of "Least Restrictive Environment" (LRE). This mandated that students with disabilities should be educated in the general education classroom, with appropriate support and resources, to meet their needs. -
PACER Organization
Founded in 1977, this is an organization that was originally founded by parents of children with disabilities, with the philosophy of 'parents helping parents', by providing help and support for parents who were in similar positions. The organization now provides nationally recognized training and support programs to improve the lives of children with disabilities. http://www.pacer.org/about/history.asp -
No Child Left Behind Act 2001
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act 2001, was introduced to improve educational outcomes for student with disabilities and reduce the achievement gap between various subgroups of students. It has been revamped and is now known as the Every Student Succeeds (ESSA) Act 2015. -
IDEA Act 2004
The Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act 2004 which originated from the IDEA Act 1975, mandated that students with disabilities should have equal opportunities to receive a free and appropriate education, just like their able bodied peers. For example, the IDEA Act has been recognized as identifying six core principles that should be followed to ensure the rights of students with disabilities, and their parents, are met.
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/idea/ -
World Bank Organization
This is an organization focuses on the awareness of the plight of children in developing countries and the need to provide education for all, including children with disabilities.
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/12/03/making-quality-education-accessible-to-children-with-disabilities
