Discuss the background history of special education
Special education as a formalized system in the United States can be traced back to the early 20th century. Prior to this time, children with disabilities were often excluded from mainstream education and were left to be cared for by their families or sent to institutions.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several key developments occurred that influenced the creation of special education programs. One of the influential figures during this time was Samuel Gridley Howe, who established the Perkins School for the Blind in 1829 and advocated for the education of individuals with visual impairments.
The first special education law in the United States was passed in 1975 with the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law mandated that children with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible.
Over the years, there have been significant advancements in special education practices, including the implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities, the inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms, and the development of assistive technologies to support learning.
Today, special education is a vital component of the American education system, aimed at providing all students, regardless of their disabilities, with equal access to education and the necessary support to reach their full potential.