The History Special Education

Summary

This video explores the history of special education in the United States, tracing its development from the early 1800s to the present day. It highlights the challenges students with disabilities faced, from exclusion and isolation to eventual legal protections and inclusion in public schools. The video discusses key moments, such as the 1970s passage of public law 94-142, which laid the foundation for special education, and the 1990 IDEA law that ensured students had access to general education. The narrative underscores the significant role of advocacy groups, particularly parents, in pushing for these critical changes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The right to special education services is now guaranteed for all students with disabilities in the U.S.
• 😀 Accommodations help students access content, while modifications change the content itself.
• 😀 Advocacy groups, often formed by parents of students with special needs, played a crucial role in securing rights for disabled students.
• 😀 In the early 1800s, most students with disabilities were excluded from school and often had to pay for private tutors or schools.
• 😀 By the 1850s, isolated schools for students with disabilities began to emerge, though they were mainly in rural areas.
• 😀 The 1880s saw a setback for students with disabilities, as eugenics ideas led to the placement of individuals in institutions with poor conditions.
• 😀 In the 1920s, more children with disabilities began attending public schools, though most were still segregated in separate classes.
• 😀 The 1970s marked a significant shift with the passage of Public Law 94-142, which provided funding for special education programs.
• 😀 The 1990s introduced further progress with the passing of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), securing rights for students to access general education curricula.
• 😀 The current trend in special education focuses on inclusion, ensuring that students with disabilities learn alongside their non-disabled peers.

Q & A

What rights do students with disabilities have in the United States today?

Students with disabilities have the right to special education services in a free public education. They are protected by laws that ensure accommodations and modifications are provided to support their learning.

What is the difference between accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities?

Accommodations provide changes to how students access content, allowing them to learn in the same curriculum as their peers. Modifications, on the other hand, involve changing the content itself to make it more accessible to students with disabilities.

How did advocacy groups contribute to the development of special education services in the United States?

Advocacy groups, often formed by parents of students with disabilities, played a crucial role by lobbying for better educational opportunities. They brought attention to the needs of these children, pressured politicians, and helped garner public support.

What was the situation for students with disabilities before the advocacy movements gained traction?

Before the advocacy movements, most students with disabilities were not allowed to attend school or were excluded from mainstream education. Some families had to pay for private schools or tutors, as there were few options for public education.

What development occurred in the 1850s for students with disabilities?

In the 1850s, isolated schools for students with disabilities began to appear, primarily in rural areas. This marked the beginning of a shift towards providing educational opportunities for these children.

How did Francis Galton's ideas affect the treatment of individuals with disabilities in the late 19th century?

Francis Galton's promotion of eugenics in the 1880s negatively impacted individuals with disabilities, leading to the sterilization of some disabled individuals. This period saw many individuals being placed in institutions with harsh conditions.

What changes occurred in the 1920s regarding the education of students with disabilities?

In the 1920s, more children with disabilities started attending public schools, though they were often placed in separate classrooms or rooms apart from their peers. This was an important step toward inclusion.

What was the significance of the 1970s for special education in the U.S.?

The 1970s saw the establishment of key laws that provided funding for special education. One major development was the passage of Public Law 94-142, which laid the foundation for special education services in the U.S.

What important legislation was passed in 1990 to support students with disabilities?

In 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed, ensuring that students with disabilities had access to the general education curriculum and the right to receive a free and appropriate education.

What is the inclusion movement in special education?

The inclusion movement emphasizes the integration of students with disabilities into general education classrooms, providing them with opportunities to learn alongside their non-disabled peers.