The History of The Creation of Special Education in America

The U.S. Department of Education

In the history of Special Education, it is safe to say it has changed immensely. Before the 1980s, children with special needs were not recognised nor taken care of in the education department. With the help of RTI [or Response To Intervention], thousands of children were able to receive an education which opened a window to laws: both federal and within the states. In order to protect special needs children, programs and laws were created to essentially protect the student, and their education. And while there is definitely still a stigma around the mentally and physically disabled, they are now able to go to school, and have their needs catered to. With the creation of laws and acts, if a student is not in a school with a handicapped restroom or elevator, they will either be moved or have modifications implemented to match their needs such as installing a handicapped restroom and keeping that student on the first floor only.

What led up to all of these great things were concerned parents who formed an advocacy group in the early 1960s, who had reached out to both President John F. Kennedy, and President Lyndon. They had signed off on support for the intellectually challenged and supported funds for the education of elementary and primary school for the disabled. While that didn’t exactly get things in motion, it was one of the first major events to the catalyst for change for children with special needs. With the help of RTI, things really got in motion with the aid of diagnosing children, moving them to what they need, and the creation of supplementary supplies for children who needed it. By then, children with disabilities began to receive the education they deserved on a large nationwide scale during the late 1970s, early 1980s. On top of that, IDEA [Individuals with Disabilities Education Act]and EHA [Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975] were already created which was a great help as far as the legal side of things in the progression of special education.