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