Special Education

Prior to 1975 children with disability were turned away from getting an education and their rights were not legally protected.  The only individuals with disability who received an education were from wealthy families who were sent to private institutions. In 1990 Congress renamed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA). The purpose of this name change was to reflect “ people first” language and promote the use of the term disabilities rather than handicapped. Educating children with disabilities has historically focused on caring for each child in a segregated setting, or not providing any schooling at all. Special Education is a service offered by all states to meet the needs of exceptional students that is mandated and protected by federal law. Under IDEA there is a zero exclusion principle. This principle states that no child can be denied an education because they are considered to be uneducable due to their disability. The Zero Reject principle ensures that all children receive a free and appropriate public education, no matter how severe their disability

American Dream

Legislation has been a major support system for individuals with developmental disabilities. Important legislation like IDEA, have helped to assure that children with developmental disabilities live fulfilling and meaningful lives. Education is the basic American value that reflects the view that every child should have access to schools that promote growth and development. American school systems must provide supports and services for all students including students with disabilities.  These individuals have the same goal as other children to fulfill their dreams and under IDEA special education services provide individuals with disabilities to gain access to an appropriate education like every one else. The right to educate children with disabilities came about as a part of a larger social issue in the United States. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s awakened the public to the issues of discrimination in employment, housing, and access to public education . The landmark case of Brown v. Topeka Kansas, Board of Education of 1954, which was originally mandated to end racial segregation declared that education must be made available to everyone on an equal basis. Therefore, schools may not segregate or discriminate by ability and disability.