What is the history of special education in details
Special education has a long and complex history that has evolved over time to meet the needs of students with disabilities. In the United States, special education can be traced back to the early 20th century when children with disabilities were often excluded from mainstream schools and instead placed in institutions or segregated schools.
One of the first major developments in special education came in 1975 with the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law mandated that all children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible. It also required schools to provide individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities to help address their unique needs.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, there were further advancements in special education, including the recognition of specific learning disabilities as a disability category under IDEA and the inclusion of students with disabilities in standardized testing. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was also passed in 1990, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all aspects of public life, including education.
In recent years, there has been a continued focus on inclusion and ensuring that students with disabilities have access to the same educational opportunities as their non-disabled peers. This includes providing accommodations and supports to help students with disabilities succeed in the general education classroom whenever possible.
Overall, the history of special education demonstrates a shift from exclusion and segregation to inclusion and support for students with disabilities. While there is still work to be done to ensure that all students have equal access to education, significant progress has been made in recent decades to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.