THE LEGAL HISTORY OF SPECIAL-EDUCATION - WHAT A LONG, STRANGE TRIP ITS BEEN

Children and youth with disabilities have historically received unequa l treatment in the public education system. In the early 20th century, the enactment of compulsory attendance laws in the states began to ch ange the educational opportunities for these students. Opportunities f or admittance to public schools were greater, but many students nevert heless did not receive an effective or appropriate education. Beginnin g in the late 1960s and early 1970s, parents and advocates for student s with disabilities began to use the courts in an attempt to force sta tes to provide an equal educational opportunity for these students. Th ese efforts were very successful and eventually led to the passage of federal legislation to ensure these rights. The purpose of this articl e is to examine the legal history of special education. We will examin e these early efforts to ensure a free appropriate education for stude nts with disabilities up to and including the enactment of the Individ uals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997.