History of Special Education

Course Question

What laws led to the development of special education?

Study Guide

Complete this study guide to help you focus on the most important aspects of the readings.

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Introduction

The video below gives an outline of the development of special education in the United States. Watch carefully for an introduction to the law Education for All Handicapped Children. Make sure you understand how this law impacts special education.

What to watch for:

What are compulsory attendance laws and who was excluded from these laws?
What are the circumstances of Plessy vs. Ferguson and how did this ruling affect education?
What did the Brown vs. Board of Education rule about “separate but equal” environments in education?
What was the name of the first federal special education law signed by President Gerald Ford?
What is the name of the federal special education law at this time?

In Pursuit of Equality

The fight for equality in education was first fought by representatives of minority races. Read the article produced by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History titled In Pursuit of Equality to better understand the struggle minorities faced in receiving an equal education.

Article: In Pursuit of Equality Page One and Two Links to an external site.

What to look for:

What did the Massachusetts Supreme Court decide in Roberts vs. City of Boston?
How did the Roberts vs. City of Boston impact the Brown vs. Board of Education decision?
How did the California State Legislature respond to the Joseph and Mary Tape decision?
What were the details of the Mendez vs. Westminster Case?

Celebrating 35 years of IDEA

Students with disabilities have followed a similar path as minority students in their pursuit for equality in education. Watch this video that explains the path students with disabilities have followed as they have worked for an equal education.

What to watch for:

What were the conditions for children with disabilities before 1975?
In what ways were the institutions provided for children with disabilities before 1975 “separate, but unequal”?
What changed in the special education law in 1986?
What are transition services?
How did the concept of access change in 1997?
What is the reason for including students with disabilities in state accountability programs, or in other words, state testing requirements?
What are the positive outcomes that have come about since 1975 and the introduction of a federal law for special education?

six principles of IDEA

Education for All Handicapped Children (Public Law 94-142) is the first federal law that defined special education. In 1990 the name of this law changed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law ensures six specific rights for students with disabilities. Read the following website that discusses the six rights of students with disabilities outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Article: Your Child’s Rights: Six Principles of IDEA Links to an external site.

What to look for:

What are the six principles of IDEA?
What is the purpose of the six principles of IDEA?
Understand each of the six principles of IDEA.
What is the Least Restrictive Environment? How does this impact a student with disabilities and where he or she is taught?

Assignments

Complete the closed book, closed note quiz.
Post in the discussion board and reply to two other comments.
Meet with your PLC group and the instructor.