Special Education History

Special education is defined as a range of social and educational services by the public school system along with other educational institutes to individuals who are between the ages three and twenty-one that have disabilities. “Special education is designed to ensure that students with disabilities are provided with an environment that allows them to be educated effectively” (“Special Education.”). Special education is staring to grow in popularity across the U.S and has been raising awareness about both the service offered in schools and the career field. The history of special education including its origin, rules, and laws are just as important as the roles and responsibilities of teachers, the qualifications need to be a special education …show more content…
The law became known as the “Bill of Rights” for children with disabilities and their families, and it helped to establish the advancements and strides in Special Education policy as well as advocacy (“Special Education Public Policy”). EHA was created to make sure that children with disabilities were able to have access to public education that was free and appropriate to their conditions. It became local and statewide support and protection to the children with disabilities as well as their families. Federal funding was granted through the EHA to public schools that provided an equal and appropriate access to education for children with disabilities. Parents and families obtained the support and support systems necessary to make sure that their child was given adequate and appropriate services (“The History of Special Education”). The EHA created six components that changed education across the United States for good. The six components are a free appropriate education, the least restrictive environment, an individualized education plan (IEP), procedural due process, nondiscriminatory assessment, and parental participation (“Special Education Public Policy”). These components set the guidelines for education that are still around and being used …show more content…
IDEA clearly defined the various categories for disabilities as autism, deaf-blindness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment, and speech or language impairment (“How IDEA Protects”). It governs how state and public agencies provide special education, and related services if they follow the guidelines stated in the act. “IDEA serves the purpose of providing an education that meets a child’s unique needs and prepares the child for further education, employment, and independent living. It also protects the rights of both children with disabilities and their parents.” (“History of Special Education Law- Wrightslaw”). It required states to establish goals and standards in schools dealing with the performance of children with disabilities that match and are consistent with those of the nondisabled children. The requirements in IDEA help shape how special education teachers talk, instruct an even interact with their