Special Education in USA
*History:*
- The idea of excluding students with any disability from public school education dates back to 1893.
- In 1954, the belief that the right to a public education applies to all individuals regardless of race, gender, or disability was sparked.
- The United States Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) in 1975, making special education programs mandatory.
*Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):*
- The EAHCA was later modified to strengthen protections to students with disabilities and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- IDEA requires states to provide special education and related services consistent with federal standards as a condition of receiving federal funds.
- Under IDEA, students with disabilities are entitled to receive special education services through their local school district from age 3 to age 18 or 21.
*Categories of Disability:*
- To receive special education services, a student must demonstrate a disability in one of 13 specific categories, including:
1. Autism
2. Developmental disability
3. Specific learning disability
4. Intellectual impairment
5. Emotional and/or behavioral disability
6. Intellectual disability
7. Speech and language disability
8. Deaf-blind
9. Visual impairment
10. Hearing impairment
11. Orthopedic or physical impairment
12. Other health impaired (including attention deficit disorder)
13. Multiple disabilities and traumatic brain injury
*Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE):*
- A Free Appropriate Public Education means special education and related services that:
1. Are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge
2. Meet state requirements and the requirements of federal regulations
3. Include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the State involved
4. Comply with a lawful Individual/Individualized Education Program
*Least Restrictive Environment (LRE):*
- The least restrictive environment is defined as educating students with disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate with students without disabilities.
- The LRE mandate requires that all students in special education be educated with typical peers to the greatest extent possible, while still providing FAPE.
*Related Services:*
- Special education-related services include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
- Certified orientation and mobility specialists, teachers of the visually impaired and board-certified behavior analysts, and music therapists may service students deemed eligible.
- Services can be rendered in individual or small group sessions, in the general education classroom, or simply as a consult between the service provider and other team members.
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