The first American schools which serve special education had established in the 1800s, and they are also private schools. In addition, special learning in the U.S has now governed by federal legislation first enacted in 1975. Also, the federal law in its most recent announcement in 2004 continues to require a free appropriate public education(FAPE) for all the disabled students, a full continuum of alternative placements (CAP) ranging from private or hospital care to inclusion in general training, an individual training plan or program (IEP) for each student recognized as needing special learning, and placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE) that is thought most desirable for implementing the IEP. Moreover, parents are also involved in the unique education process.
What is special education?
Special education is the instruction developed to fulfil the needs of differently-abled children(children with disabilities). Special learning is giving instructions in the classroom, in hospitals, at home, and in other institutions. Also, It has given to children at no cost to their parents.
Moreover, Every child who has participated in this education receives instructions which have designed to fulfill their need and to give information to differently-abled children that other children receive at school during learning.
Laws for differently-abled children in the U.S
In the U.S, children with disabilities have guarded by federal law. Therefore, all public schools in the U.S should give specialized help to every needy child. So, Two most essential rules for differently-abled children are as follows:-
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):- This law gives the authorization to every disabled child to have the education. Also, it authorizes early intervention services to preschoolers and infants with disabilities. So, over the years, this law has amended many times. Most recently, it had changed by Congress in December 2004.
- Section 504:- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prevents all plans and activities, whether they be public or private, that obtain federal funds from distinguishing based on inabilities. Also, This law pertains to all public school districts. Moreover, all the public school districts are obliged to follow this law.
Who is Eligible for Special Education?
Most importantly, IDEA gives 13 different categories of disabilities under which a child receives this education:-
- Autism
- Deaf-Blindness
- Deafness
- Developmental Delay
- Emotional Disturbance
- Hearing Impairment
- Mental Retardation
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment Including Blindness
Also, read: Comparision of education system between the U.S and China