Education for All Handicapped Children Act PL 94-142:
Education for All Handicapped Children Act PL 94-142 Implemented in 1978;
Mandated free & appropriate public education;
States were funded if they complied with the law;
Serviced all disabled children, ages 3 – 21;
“Least Restrictive Environment;”
Individual Education Program (IEP)
Amendments to PL 94-142:
Amendments to PL 94-142 Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers
with Disabilities PL 98-199
Grants to states to develop and offer early intervention services for families with children who have disabilities, from birth through age 2
Children with Disabilities Program PL 99-457
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for children with
Disabilities, ages 3 through 5.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) In 1990 Congress reauthorized PL 94- 142,
renamed it IDEA, and expanded its services.
Two new categories of disabilities were added: autism and traumatic
brain injury, to be considered separate from emotional disturbance.
Added a definition of transition services for students 16 years and
older; definitions for “assistive technology device” and “assistive
technology service.”
Substituted the word “disabilities” for the word “handicapped.”
The Least Restrictive Environment now is “INCLUSION.”
Thirteen Categories of Exceptionality:
Thirteen Categories of Exceptionality language disabilities
learning disabilities
mental retardation
emotional disturbance
multiple disabilities
hearing loss
orthopedic impairments
other health impairments
visual impairments
autism
deaf – blindness
traumatic brain injury
Developmental delay (children 3 – 9)
Prevalent Special Needs:
Prevalent Special Needs Specific learning disabilities 50%
Speech and language impairments 19%
Mental retardation 11%
Emotional disturbance 8%