Question

Provide a brief summary of the history of education, special education, and special education laws. Why is it important to know this history? How does it affect your understanding about the field of special education and its purpose?

Answer 1

It was in the 1930s in the US that parents felt their children with special needs were not getting enough attention in the classroom. Before this, there were no movements that had taken place for equal rights to education for all. After this, in the 1960s laws were made that gave equal right to education for all students irrespective of their disabilitieis. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was passed which guaranteed civil rights to people with disabilitions and accomodations in classrooms. In 1975, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) said that children with disabilities will receive free and equal education along with accomodations. After a few years revisions were made to this and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was formed in 1997. This encouraged students with special needs to participate in typical classrooms and be a part of normal schools. Since then, there have been many revisions and today we have various accomodations that are made in inclusive schools for children with disabilities.

It is important to know how the field of special education prospered because it will help to understand the the drawbacks and outcomes that have helped special needs individuals over the years. It also helps me understand special education and its importance better because without a specialized curriculum for these individuals, they find it very difficult to cope in classrooms. Every child has a right to an education irrespective of their strengths, weakness and disabilities therefore it is very important to know the history of special education.