History of Special Education

Summary

This video covers the history and evolution of special education in the United States, focusing on key milestones such as the passage of Public Law 94-142 and the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). It highlights the struggle for inclusion, from the early 1800s when children with disabilities were often excluded, to modern advancements ensuring they receive equal educational opportunities. The video also explores the concept of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), emphasizing the importance of inclusive education and equal access for all students with disabilities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Students with disabilities now have the right to special education services, which include accommodations and modifications to support their learning.
• 😀 The history of special education in the U.S. reveals a long fight for acceptance and rights for students with disabilities, starting from the 1800s to the present day.
• 😀 Advocacy groups, often led by parents and community members, were instrumental in lobbying for better services and rights for children with disabilities.
• 😀 In the 1850s, isolated schools for students with disabilities began to emerge, but they were limited in scope and location.
• 😀 The 1880s saw a regression in attitudes toward people with disabilities, influenced by eugenics and institutionalization, which often led to abuse and neglect.
• 😀 Major legislative milestones in the 1970s, including Public Law 94-142, laid the foundation for modern special education by mandating free public education for students with disabilities.
• 😀 The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), first passed in 1975, ensures that students with disabilities have access to free and appropriate public education.
• 😀 The 1990s introduced significant improvements in special education, including the inclusion movement, which aims for integration of students with disabilities into general education classrooms.
• 😀 IDEA emphasizes the importance of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), which are tailored to meet the specific needs of students with disabilities.
• 😀 The law also mandates that students with disabilities are educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), ensuring that they can learn alongside their non-disabled peers as much as possible.

Q & A

What is the primary right of students with disabilities in the United States today?

Students with disabilities in the U.S. have the right to receive special education services in a free public education.

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

Accommodations allow students to access the content in a way that suits their needs, while modifications involve changing the content itself to suit the student’s ability.

How did advocacy groups contribute to the rights of students with disabilities?

Advocacy groups, often formed by parents and community members, lobbied for better education services by raising public awareness and putting pressure on politicians to make changes.

What was the impact of eugenics on the education of students with disabilities in the late 19th century?

Eugenics promoted harmful ideas like the sterilization of individuals with disabilities, leading to their institutionalization and poor living and educational conditions.

What significant legislative act in the 1970s laid the foundation for modern special education in the U.S.?

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), was passed in the 1970s, marking the beginning of modern special education laws.

What was the role of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in advancing the rights of students with disabilities?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first federal legislation that mandated equal rights for students with disabilities, ensuring their inclusion in educational activities and public services.

How did the launch of Sputnik influence special education in the U.S.?

The launch of Sputnik in 1957 sparked a renewed focus on education in the U.S., which positively impacted special education by increasing awareness and funding for students with disabilities.

What does the IDEA require from public schools for students with disabilities?

The IDEA requires public schools to provide free and appropriate education, create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each eligible student, and ensure students are educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

How does the IEP help students with disabilities?

An IEP outlines the student's current abilities, sets goals for the year, and details the necessary support services and accommodations to help the student achieve those goals.

What is the concept of the least restrictive environment (LRE) in special education?

The least restrictive environment ensures that students with disabilities are educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible, allowing them equal access to educational experiences.