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Massachusetts passed the first compulsory education law in the United States in 1852. This law required children to attend school but students with disabilities were excluded. This highlighted the early inequalities in access to education and exclusions like this later led to advocacy of the rights for students with disabilities. -
The Supreme Court ruled that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. This case focused on racial segregation but it helped influence special education policy. The decision looked at the idea of separating students based on their differences and that is why later on it supported arguments for educating students with disabilities alongside others. -
This provided federal funding to support and provide for students of low-income disadvantages. This included students with disabilities who had previously received limited support. Equal access to education was emphasized and helped establish federal responsibility in public education. -
This court case ruled that students with intellectual disabilities could not be denied a public or free education. It helped establish the right to education for students with disabilities. -
The Mills case was similar to PARC. It expanded educational rights and ruled that schools could not exclude students due to disability or lack of funding. The decision emphasized due process protections for families. -
Section 504 was a civil rights law that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It applied to any school receiving federal funding. It required schools to provide accommodations and equal access. https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/section-504 -
This law guaranteed free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities. It required individualized education programs and education in the least restrictive environment for the students. They were entitled to learn with regular classmates when appropriate. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act became IDEA in 1990. The law strengthened services for students with disabilities and emphasized inclusion. IDEA remains the primary special education law today. https://youtu.be/Oj4b9d4XAdY?si=XdEoJ6oPisVBGH2B -
Beginning in the early 2000s, schools increasingly focused on inclusive education for students with disabilities. Students spent more time in general education classrooms with appropriate supports and progress began to be made. There were academic and social benefits from the inclusion. -
IDEA was reauthorized to align with accountability standards in education. The updates focused on improving student outcomes and using different practices that were evidence based. Schools were required to monitor student progress more closely.