Before lawmakers created statues parents, in the US, had minimal possibilities other than to educate their children with disabilities at home or pay for them to attend private schools. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy created the “Mental Retardation” Panel that governed federal aid to states. Access to public education for children with disabilities was expanded, in 1965, by Lyndon B. Johnson, when he signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. However, in 1970’s, only a few of children with disabilities were being educated in public schools and the majority were being institutionalized in the most harsh conditions. This led to the advocacy of two laws being passed in 1975, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act …show more content…
IDEA required an individualized education or special education services to meet the needs of students determined by whether states who accepted public funds for education. These two laws set the foundation for students with disabilities to receive an education together with children who do not have disabilities. IDEA enforces guidelines regarding Free Appropriate Public Education. The idea that education must be personalized to meet the needs of the individual child with a disability. In addition education must be of benefit to the child and should prepare the child to live and work independently. As response this led to the use of individual education plans (IEPs) for all special education students. In combination these laws focused on providing education to children with disabilities in the least restricted environment (LRE). The federal, district and local governments come up with laws that promote inclusion inside schools. Importantly IDEA and NCLB has forced inclusion.
"to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities ... are educated with children who are not disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be attained satisfactorily."