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First Public Special Education Class
Rhode Island opened the first public class in the United States for special‑education students. This is the beginning of education for handicapped children. Formerly, they were mostly institutionalized and consequently, for several years, effectively precluded from education. Here in the US, breaking this barrier brings back the hope that there are others who can make dreams that seem unattainable come true. -
The Arc of the United States
The exact founding moment of The Arc can be traced to September 28, 1950, when parents from across the country gathered in Minneapolis for the first national convention of the National Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Retarded Children -
Brown v. Board of Education
This landmark Supreme Court decision didn’t speak to special-education rights in particular, but its verdict, that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional seemed to naturally underpin a great deal of later court action for compelling schools to give disabled children their long-awaited piece of the American pie. -
PARC v. Pennsylvania
In this landmark federal case, it was determined that children with intellectual disabilities had the right to a free public education. It was the first case to affirm educational rights for students with disabilities, and it inspired entire sections of federal policy, including the passage of IDEA. PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Wrightslaw -
Mills v. Board of Education
In this case, the court held that all children with disabilities in Washington, D.C. were guaranteed a public education, regardless of the finances.On the other side, it balanced a person’s right to due process and appropriate sharing of resources in order to prevent people losing out through sharing less deserved money. This made way for federal laws like IDEA. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
The Public Law 94‑142 was enacted by the 94th Congress in 1975. It guaranteed a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) with IEPs and safeguards, protecting educational rights for children with disabilities texasprojectfirst.org, This foundational law laid the groundwork for what later became IDEA. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
At the grassroots level, tough battles continue over reauthorization of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, eventually renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), adding coverage for autism, traumatic brain injury, and transitions to postsecondary settings. It was this update that rendered the law stronger and more far-reaching than in the past. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA was a civil rights statute that prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities in all public spaces, including schools. While not education specific, it established standards for access crucial for inclusivity in learning environments. It was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush and strengthened students’ rights to equal access and accommodations. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law by President GeorgeW.Bush on January 8,2002, and represented a significant enhancement of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. This statute brought greater federal accountability through linking school funding to measurable student proficiency as well as the compulsory use of standardized testing in basic subjects. The result changed the federal education policy, focusing on data-based academic standards. -
IDEA Reauthorization
This reauthorization and emphasis concentrated on evidence based practices, parental involvement, and Response to Intervention (RTI). It simplified IEP processes and made accountability a focus. This forced schools to act in early intervention approaches and made the linkages between parents and professionals more efficient. -
Disproportionality in Special Education Addressed
The Department released comprehensive guidance under Part B of IDEA to standardize how states identify and address racial or ethnic disproportionality in special education. These “Equity in IDEA” rules require data-driven identification of disparities and dedicated early intervention services to correct over‑ or under‑identification and discrimination. Principles of IDEA:The IEP