Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by
Special education began mainly in the last 50 years. A little bit of research about the history of special education and its history within the U.S. will allow you to comprehend the family backgrounds of your students and give you a better idea of where the field has been and where it is to take it.If you’re thinking of getting into the area of special education, then you’re getting an opportunity that was not offered to previous generations of students. Learn from the history of special education and then take it to where you think it ought to take it.
The hard-won progress
With the many resources in special education and available programs, it is sometimes shocking to realise how recent the majority of our country’s progress in special education is.However, for more than 200 years following the United States’ establishment in 1776, little was made to promote the rights of its disabled students. More than 4.5 million children were not educated adequately before the legislation to guarantee the same educational opportunities for children with disabilities was introduced in the 1970s. It was a dark time in the history of special education.When legislation started with a steady flow of legislation, regulations and rulings provided students with special needs opportunities previously unavailable. The base of high-quality, individualised education in the open, free and open environment provided the option of living independently.These victories won with a lot of effort culminated in years of dedication and advocacy that contributed to the wide range of unique educational resources available within the United States today.
The Grass Roots Begins
However, the history of special education did not end there. One of the first groups that began to fight for high-quality special education comprised parents whose children had been excluded as early as 1933.Most of these associations for families were gaining attention in the 1950s when their advocacy helped pass laws that allowed the opportunity to train teachers who work with hard-of-hearing, deaf or students with intellectual disabilities (historically known as “mentally disabled”). **The 1960s saw numerous legislation was passed to provide money to students in special education.
The States have a place within Special Education History.
In the 1970s, numerous landmark court decisions gave states the obligation to provide special education and other resources for students who require it. These rulings changed the background of special education in the United States.Presently, local and state institutions are responsible for 91 % of the special education funds, while federal funds cover the remaining 9 per cent if states meet national standards.This balance permits the various special education programs available all over the world and the uniform rules that require states to meet specific standards and promote the highest quality of teaching.
The 1970s: The Foundational years
The 1970s saw more substantial improvements in the life of students in special education than in the previous decade, the history of unique education history. The first was that The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provided the civil rights of disabled persons and required special accommodations for students with disabilities in schools.In 1975, 1975, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was enacted to guarantee and enforce the rights of children with disabilities to receive an appropriate education.With the dual aim of providing educational opportunities that meet the needs of students with disabilities and providing it in the “least restrictive setting” feasible, it is the basis of contemporary special education throughout the U.S. today.
Idea Revolutionises the Industry
When it was reauthorized in 1997, EHA went through significant changes and eventually became popularly known under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA stressed the need for IEPs, also known as individual educational plans, also known as IEPs for all students with special needs.IDEA also pushed for individual transition plans, also known as ITPs, to help students succeed later.The introduction of IDEA resulted in a widespread determination to provide the most researched and most efficient methods of special education instruction. In the past, not only were students assured of the same education as everyone else, but they received viable schooling choices and the personalised care they required. This was a hugely positive development in the history of special education.IDEA was able to take several of the goals outlined in EHA and make them real by establishing applicable standards and a structure to support its highest ideals.
Special Education Teaching Today
Between 2001-2004 in 2001 and 2004, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) provided more accountability for schools. It assisted with technology and loan programs to assist schools to access the needed unique educational materials.IDEA is yet another law passed in 1975, but it has been revamped to make it more modern since the definition and the diagnosis of learning disabilities evolved. In 1975, the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) was instrumental in creating IDEA. Since its inception, it has gone through numerous revisions with an act known as Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA). This law was initially conceived to ensure that students with disabilities get an adequate public education.
IDEA is updated approximately five times per year and the most recent version in 2004. The main reason for this constant update is to allow the LDA to understand how the law is implemented in practice and what’s needed to make it more transparent and more efficient. Schools in the past have forced a student to be waiting until the child was behind in their grade before becoming qualified to receive special education. After the publication of the regulations finalised by IDEA, the districts in schools are not required to follow this procedure. Still, they can act more effectively and explore other options for determining if the child needs assistance.As fundamental rights have been established, advocates groups similar to those formed in 1933 are beginning to propose legislation. These groups are working towards various objectives about education methods, recognition of specific disabilities, and more choices for schools.Whatever direction they follow, legislators, educators and advocacy groups will continue to simplify disability classifications as the general public becomes aware of terms used in the political sphere.If special education is something you love to do, then get your teacher education and accreditation to begin making a difference now.
