The document summarizes key legislation and initiatives that have shaped special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and No Child Left Behind. It also outlines major components of special education today, such as standards-based education, inclusion, response to intervention, universal design for learning, differentiated instruction, evidence-based practice, and considering student diversity. The special education system is designed to provide individualized support and equal opportunities to students with disabilities based on research and federal guidelines.