This document summarizes major historical changes that have impacted special education. It outlines key US laws including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, amendments in 1986 extending rights to preschoolers, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, amendments to IDEA in 1997 and 2004, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Each law expanded rights and protections for students with disabilities and their parents, increased access to accommodations and resources, and changed how special education is implemented.

1. Major Historical Changes That has Impacted how
special education looks today
Kimberly Hinkston
EDU62040B:Special Educational Foundations:
The Learner and Learning Environment
Instructor:Stephen Cochrane,PHD
January 16, 2022

2. 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(Public Law 93-112)
● It is illegal to discriminate against anyone solely do to their disability. It is illegal
to deny benefits and participation solely do to a disability as well.
● People with disabilities did not have the same legal rights. They were not allowed
admission into programs or allowed the same services as everyone else.
● Effect of special education was changed because now people with speech, manual,
and sensory skills can get aid.

3. 1975
Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Public
Law 94-142)
Students with disabilities have legal rights to the following
● Free and appropriate public education (FAPE);
● Least restrictive environment (LRE); and
● Approved and appropriate accommodations and modifications during assessments,
and an individualized education plan (IEP).
● Before parents did not have rights to view their child's record and had little to no
input for IEP
● Effect of special education was changed because now parents are involved in
decision regarding their child and need to be informed of any changes to class,
program or IEP.

4. 1986
Amendments to the Education of All Handicapped Children
Act (Public Law 99-457)
● All legal rights provided under Education of All Handicapped Children Act, including
FAPE, LRE, IEP, and parameters of parental involvement, are equally provided to
special needs preschool children. (Ysseldyke & Algozzine,2006,p.11)
● Before Preschool was excluded.
● Effect of special education was changed because now preschool is included and this
helps provide our youngest learners with the resources they need to be successful

5. 1990
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990
(Public Law 101-336)
● The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990 approves and
reinforces all aspects of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. IDEA
expands the disability categories by adding autism and traumatic brain injury.
● Before Assistive Technology was not easily accessible.
● Effect of special education was changed because now with the expansion of
categories more student can get accommodations,modifications,and other services
needed.

6. 2001
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
(Public Law 107-110)
● No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is a law that applies to not only special needs
students, but all students within the United States.
● Before, federal legislation did not want to intrude on states rights to plan
curriculum and general operations of schools.
● Effect of special education was changed because NCLB reinforces the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which provides funds the primary and
secondary education along with other contributions to the American education
system.

7. 1997
Amendments to the Individuals With Disabilities Education
Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-17)
● Amendments were made to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
● Before there were no greater detail about who needs to be present during
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings.
● Effect of special education was changed because now there are different
paperwork and procedures which are required for IEP documentation.

8. 2004
ndividuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of
2004 (IDEA)
● legally required that students with disabilities be taught by teachers who are highly
qualified, have obtained a state teaching license, and certified in special education as well
as core subjects.
● Before students were not getting quality education because schools would just fill teaching
position and teachers didn't have proper training or experience.
● Effect of special education was changed because now a portion of funding for special
education in also given to general ed to help students who needs have not yet been
identified. Also long term goals are permitted to help student success rates.

9. Reference
5 Important Special Education Laws. (2022). Masters In Special Education.Com.
Retrieved January 16, 2022, from https://www.masters-in-special-education.com
Ysseldyke, J. & Algozzine, B. (2006). The legal foundations of
special education. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.