Special Education

In 1975, the U.S. Congress enacted Public Law 94-142 titled the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This law ensured that all children with disabilities received free and appropriate education along with their typical peers. This act required that schools design educational programs for children with disabilities that were similar to those of their nondisabled peers. Federal funding was associated with these educational services, as well as services that may be necessary for families to dispute (e.g., due process) decisions made for their children. The law was modified in 1997 to provide higher quality educational experiences for children, along with instructions provided in the child’s least restrictive environment (LRE) and was renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In addition to free and appropriate education, ...