The Context and History of Special Education

Deconstructing Disabilities Definitions differ due to culture, attitudes, beliefs, orientation, and discipline Explanations of the concept vary on whether disability means impairment of a person’s ability to participate in mainstream society Difference b/w disability and a handicap –Handicap=discrimination and pity

History of Disabilities Romans- put to death Middle Ages and Renaissance- court jesters and kept for amusement World War II- millions of disabled people killed and marked start of Nazi death camps Educational and Social neglect- 19 th century legacy Institutionalization- 20 th Century- purpose to take those who were different out of the society Brown vs. Board of Ed- excluded those w/ disabilities 1960’s- start of Civil rights movement 1970’s- impact of legislation –1972- PARC vs. Commonwealth of PA- guaranteed ed. for MR –1972- Mills vs. District of Columbia- reinforced right for education

Reasons Why Congress Passed National Special Ed. Laws Moral/Ethical- years of exclusion, segregation and ed. Opportunities- In 1948 only 12% of disabled received education and 1962 only 16 states had mandatory rules for mild disabilities Parents had no options Influence of litigation By million kids were un-served

Landmark Special Education Laws Date#NameProvisions 1973Section 504 PL Section 504 of Vocational Rehabilitation Act Set stage for IDEA and ADA Guarantees civil rights for disabled Require accommodations for school and society 1975PL The Education of All Handicapped Children’s Education Act (EHA) Guarantees free and appropriate public education (FAPE) with the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) IEP (Individualized Education Plan) Gave parents Due Process

Landmark Special Education Laws Date#NameProvisions 1986 PL Pre-School of Toddler Act Early Intervention Services (EI) for infants and toddlers Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) 1990 PL Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Re-authorized PL Added Transition Plans (ITP) Added autism and traumatic brain injuries

Landmark Special Education Laws Date#NameProvisions 1990PL Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Barred discrimination from employment, transportation, public buildings and telecommunications Implements concept of normalization 1997PL IDEA (reauthorized)Added ADHD to “other health impairments” Added functional and behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)

Landmark Special Education Laws Date#NameProvisions 2001PL Elementary and Secondary Education Act or No Child Left Behind (ESEA) Requires all kids take part in state and district testing Call for 100% proficiency for all in reading and math by 2012 Parental choice and right ??Politics and Advocacy Play a role in the future of Special Education

SPECIAL ED TODAY Special Ed. is a set of services not a place Influence of Medical care and technology Dilemmas –Balance b/w FAPE and LRE –Litigation –Cost of Special Ed- related services and costs and federal assistance –Inclusion –Due Process –Segregation?/Discriminatory –Includes too many students –Administrative burden –Outcomes- employment, residential, societies attitudes

Classification Autism Deaf-Blindness Deafness Emotional Disturbances Hearing Impairments Mental Retardation Multiple Disabilities Orthopedic impairments Other health Impaired Specified Learning Disabilities Traumatic Brain Injuries Visual Impairment