...History of Special Education Erin Hauser SPE/300 May 4, 2015 Tabatha Astacio Arce Introduction Special Education has come a long way particularly since the enactment of two federal laws: the EHA (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The EHA requires public education for all children with disabilities and the IDEA requires special education for those children. How Terminology Has Changed The term “mental retardation” has such an offensive vibe to it. Many teachers get upset when people use this term. However, it is used because that is what was written into the text of federal law. It says “ …a learning problem that is primarily the result of visual, hearing, mental retardation…” (20 U.S.C. 1401(30)). Some states have changed the terminology in their state statutes to “cognitive disability” or “intellectual disability”. Many people do not like the words “handicap” or “crippled” even, as it implies a negative feel towards the person. Some believe this makes us focus on their disability instead of the person and their gifts and talents. Many people refer to people with these struggles as “exceptional” as others have preferred “challenged” or “differently-abled”. Our society tends to focus on the negative in people or the “different” in people who don’t fit the “normal” criteria such as fashionable, intelligent, middle to upper class, athletic. Why Students are in the Least Restrictive Environment ...
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...History of Special Education Alisha Anderson Grand Canyon University: SPE-526 June 26, 2013 Abstract Special education will continue to be transformed in a number of different ways throughout the years to come. Special Education provide different services, support systems, and resources to help meet the needs of students that have disabilities and gifted students. The history of special education have covered many issues throughout the years. There have been many laws and regulations created to help protect individuals with disabilities. This paper will report on the past history of special education, the laws associated with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and how the current and future challenges of special education affect the laws. What is Special Education? Special Education was created to teach students with disabilities at no cost to the parents. Special Education in the past involved schools that did not support or recognize students with disabilities. Today Special Education have progressed to provide services to all students no matter what their disabilities are. Special Education is a program that establish guidelines and expectations that teachers, parents, and students follow, in order for the student to receive the proper help they need (Heward, 2009). Disabilities could be labeled as physical, mental, emotional, or gifted. Special Education are services that are put in place after an evaluation process of the student. The services...
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...Special education has a very meaningful history. Special education is a complex enterprise that can be defined and evaluated from many perspectives(Heward 2013). The time frame and relation of special education play a major role in the evolvement in current and future education. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed by Congress in 1975. The 1990 amendments renamed the law and changed it to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which was mainly referred to as IDEA. Special educators are very important because they teach students have disabilities, such as language, sensory, learning, physical, and/or emotional abilities that cause them to be deviated from those of the general population. The responsibility of special educators is to give instruction that is specifically targeted to meet the individualized needs, making education available to those who have a limited access to education. Since education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments, special education should not fall short of the importance of education. Students with disabilities has been present in every era and society although special education that has been federally mandated is relatively new. Only after the acknowledgement or creation of universal public education is when forms a disability came about. When teachers had goals of literacy for all students, it caused teachers to observe a students disability in relation to a task and setting. After...
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...The Pre-Referral Process Heather Walden SPE-523N Module 4 May 28, 2014 The Pre-Referral Process The pre-referral process is a preventative measure that can help to eliminate inappropriate referrals for special education. Pre-referral supports general education teachers when they have students who exhibit academic or behavioral problems. During the pre-referral process, teachers document and explain the various difficulties and challenges that the student has and finds various instructional interventions to see if progress can be made. The pre-referral process helps students to not to be misidentified and placed in a special education program. If modifications/accommodations can be successfully made within the general education classroom and students’ progress, then the misidentification of students’ would be less. However, if the interventions that are put in place and do not improve the performance of the student, the next step would involve referring the student for an assessment to determine possible eligibility for special education services. Using the pre-referral process helps maintain children within the least restrictive environment and relies on special education as the last resort (Brownell, Sindelar, Kiely, & Danielson, 2013). There are two programs used in the pre-referral stage, one is Response to Intervention (RTI) and the other is Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PIBS). There are three tiers of intervention associated with RTI, the first...
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...History of Special Education By: Kenyata York December 5, 2012 SPE 526 ABSTRACT Individuals with disabilities have the same passion, drive, determination and ambitions of traditional students. Students living with disabilities are just as capable of learning and retaining information just like traditional students in the classroom. In today’s society, there are an abundance of laws and regulations that are in place to protect and educate individuals with disabilities. However, the idea of educating individuals with disabilities was not always a positive and fair thought in the United States. Throughout history, the laws and regulations for students with disabilities have been created to establish equality and opportunity for educational advancement. Some of the laws and regulations include the creation of the Education for Handicapped Act (EHA), the Individual with Disability Education Act (IDEA), and legislation to have teachers trained to work with students who are “mental challenged” and deaf. Individuals with disabilities have the same passion, drive, determination and ambitions of traditional students. Students living with disabilities are just as capable of learning and retaining information just like traditional students in the classroom. In today’s society, there are an abundance of laws and regulations that are in place to protect and educate individuals with disabilities. However, the idea of educating individuals with disabilities was not always a positive...
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...History of Special Education Cherri Eurich Grand Canyon University: SPE-526 11/7/12 Abstract Understanding the history of special education is necessary to grasp its value today. After the 1970’s it was decided there was a growing need for reform when it came to educating children with disabilities. Over the years there have been many pieces of legislation introduced to aid in improving our nation’s special education program. Perhaps one of the most important, being the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As early as 1970, people began to recognize the need for educational legislation on behalf of students with disabilities. Before that time schools were allowed to discriminate and segregate as well as deny education to certain students. Since Brown vs. the Board of Education educational legislation has been vital to developing the best special education programs. What is Special Education? Special education is designed to give opportunities and teaching to students with disabilities that affect their life and learning (Heward, 2009). Special education provides a curriculum that is specialized and individually intensive. The lessons are intensive and goal directed for each student. Special education teachers work in conjunction with general education teachers to provide adequate lessons. In many instances, special curriculum, along with unique materials is used to aid in educating the students (Heward, 2009)...
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...Module 1 – History of Special Education 1 Module 1 – History of Special Education Sandra A. Roland Grand Canyon University SPE – 526 Educating Learners With Diverse Needs Dr. Gary McDaniel January 6, 2011 Module 1 – History of Special Education 2 Abstract The history of Special Education began and surfaced in the U.S., after World War II, by a number of parent organized advocacy groups. One of the first organizations formed was the “American Association on Mental Deficiency,” which held its first convention in 1947. There was a number of other parent organizations formed, which was fueled by the” Civil Rights Movement” in the early 1950s, including the “United Cerebral Palsy Association”, the “Muscular Dystrophy Association,” and the “John F. Kennedy’s Panel on Mental Retardation,” which was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. This panel recommended federal aid to states. The “Elementary and Secondary Act” was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, providing funding for primary education. The advocacy groups believed this expanded access and public education for children with disabilities. The Federal government in (1950s and 1960s), worked with the support of the advocacy of family associations, such as “The ARC,” which began to develop and validate practices for children with disabilities and their families. These practices laid the foundation for implementing effective programs and services of early intervention and...
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...History of Special Education Grand Canyon University: SPE 526 June 25, 2014 ABSTRACT Special education has been at the center point of education for the past decades. The foundations of education never considered those with disabilities important or relevant in the classroom. Therefore, disabled students did not receive fair or equal treatment. Over the past century teachers, governments, and families have worked to create laws and regulations to ensure that students with disabilities have fair and equal treatment in schools. This paper will discuss the history of special education and law and acts that were created to help the field. In addition, current and future challenges of special education are also examined. Keywords: special education, No Child Left Behind, Individuals with Disabilities Education According to the United States Department of Education there were 6 million children from the age of birth to 21 that received special education services in 2009-2010 (Department of Education). In addition, since the federal government started reporting child data in 1977 the percentage of students receiving special education services has doubled from 23.8% to 42.3%. With encouraging statistics like those mentioned it seems like the United Sates has always been innovators of special education. However, this is actually not the case. When the founding fathers of education established the foundations of school, individuals with special needs were not considered. In...
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...History of Special Education The field of education has been around for a very long time, but special education has not always been around. In fact, for many years it wasn’t even accepted in the world of education. In the past, students with special needs were often not allowed to go to public school because of their disabilities. However, in today’s world, they have a right to free public education and most of the time benefit greatly from some of the resources that are available. Special education has come a long ways over the years and still has room for growth and improvement. There have been many court cases that have led the field of special education where it is today. In 1892, Homer Plessy, an African American man, bought a train ticket out of New Orleans and boarded the part of the train that was designated for white people. He was arrested for breaking the Louisiana Separate Car Act and was found guilty of breaking that law. (Daigle, 2011). Even though this was a case that dealt with segregation it had an impact on education later as discrimination against those students with disabilities came into play. In Watson vs. City of Cambridge (1893), a student was expelled because the school didn’t feel like he would benefit from an education. The courts agreed with the school and felt like those with weak minds would be a distraction to others and should be denied access to school. Beattie vs. Board of Education (1919) case about twenty years later with a student...
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...History of Special Education Law Grand Canyon University Special Education Litigation and Law SPE-350 Virginia Murray August 11, 2013 History of Special Education Law Throughout the ages, people with disabilities have been hidden away at homes or institutions and were often not educated. This was common practice and as such, when the education system was designed, children with disabilities were not even considered. Then, starting soon after the civil rights movement in the 50’s, a series of lawsuits was brought against school boards and the federal government took notice. Then the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975 was passed and these children were finally allowed the education they deserved. As time went on, the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975 became outdated and so it was revised and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. IDEA completely changed the face of special education by adding and refining many stipulations. Both the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and IDEA had specific, legal ramifications on the classroom. Each act, the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975 and IDEA has similarities and differences from each other and there is a Venn diagram included in the assignment to illustrate it. As the first incarnation of federal education law, the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975 was relatively basic. In the article Disabilities: An...
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...Restrictive Environment and cases involving LRE that were very interesting. “The act requires states to establish procedures assuring that children with disabilities are educated appropriately and comparatively with children who do not have disabilities (Osborne & Russo, 2003)” (Lecture 2, 2010). In this paper I will provide five key points, my prior beliefs about the legal history and special education, and my experiences in education, how they might apply to content to a classroom and instruction. Every child should have the right to free appropriate education no matter if they have a disability or not. Students with a disability may need more restrictive placement, such as,...
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...All children have the right to an education, regardless of disability. However, children with disabilities have not always had that right provided to them. Research and knowledge-based evidence throughout the last century has greatly changed educators’ opinions and positions on special education. A key point that will be discussed in this essay is the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), as well as current and future challenges of special education. The initial creation and development of our educational system disregarded the needs of children with disabilities. Because of very limited educational options, most disabled children were either educated in their homes or their parents paid for them to attend expensive private schools (The History of Special Education in the United States, 2009). Through parent-formed advocacy groups the educational needs of children with disabilities were brought to the public’s eye in the early part of the 20th Century (The History of Special Education in the United States, 2009). In 1961, President John F. Kennedy awarded federal aid to the States through the creation of the President’s Panel on Mental Retardation (The History of Special Education in the United States, 2009). Shortly thereafter, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (The History of Special Education in the United States, 2009). This act provided funding to schools that enrolled children with disabilities,...
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...have, we all deserve the right to a fair and proper education. There are many challenges that face individuals with disabilities, but education should not be one of them. It is necessary for not only teachers, but for society as well, to be able to understand individuals with disabilities and be able to interact with them. Too often we have biased influences and labels we use to describe someone “different.” This is why educating society on the “exceptional” individuals in our society is crucial. As we all know, we do not live in an entirely compassionate society, therefore, educating communities, schools and society on people with disabilities is key. Knowledge is power! We need to better understand ourselves, so that we can better understand others. Sonyboy Fugaban states: There is a rhythm in life, a certain beauty which operates by a variation of lights and shadows, happiness alternating with sorrow, content with discontent, distilling in this process of contrast a sense of satisfaction, of richness that can be captured and pinned down only by those who possess the gift of awareness (Fugaban, 2011). We are all imperfect in an imperfect world. God creates us equal, no matter what disability or challenges we face. Everyone deserves the chance for a fair education and proper treatment. The term “special needs” may stir up many different emotions in people. Fear is a common response to these two words. With proper education, fear can be replaced with empathy and understanding...
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...head: HISTORY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW According to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), an IEP, or Individualized Education Program, is “a written statement for each individual with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with Title 42 U.S.C. Section 1414(d).” (NAEP Glossary) Each source I studied stressed the concept of “individualized” plans because each program is tailored to specifically meet the needs of that particular student through a series of assessments, meetings and medical diagnoses. Recognizing that the content of the IEP is legally binding, it’s important to ensure that what is included in the IEP safeguards the needs of the student and that the student needs are being met? So after Further research I discovered a site that put the definition of an IEP in easily understandable terms: [An IEP] is a legally binding document that spells out exactly what special education services your child will receive and why. So by doing the IEP not only would It will include the students classification, placement, services such as a one-on-one aide and therapies, academic and behavioral goals, a behavior plan if needed, percentage of time in regular education, and progress reports from teachers and therapists. What is and we see that these plans contain information about the child’s classification, such as autism, deaf-blindness, orthopedic impairment or mental retardation for example, which requires the special support...
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...inclusion Introduction This report will aim to discuss the inclusion for special educational needs (SEN) students as well as those students with autistic spectrum condition (ASC). This report will discuss inclusive education and its history, as well as the social, political and philosophical arguments that impact upon it. The report will look at how educational practice is shaped by legislative and regulatory frameworks; it will also show how our own practice provides support for all children to achieve within mainstream education. Autism Spectrum Condition Autism is associated with a range of differences and difficulties typically related to core skills in reciprocal social interaction, communication and imagination (Wing, L.1996). ASC is ‘a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way in which a person communicates and relates to people around them’ (Wall, 2010. p. 7). Inclusive education Internationally, educational authorities are beginning to embrace a philosophy of inclusion in order to address their moral and social obligations to educate all children (Hodkinson, Vickerman, 2009). Inclusive education is concerned with the education and accommodation of all children within the classroom, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social or linguistic developments. A primary document which identified the way forward in reaching education for all through ‘inclusive education’ was the Salamanca Statement in 1944. The philosophy of the Salamanca Statement...
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