The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was signed 46 years ago on November 29, 1975 by President Gerald Ford. The act ensures a free, appropriate education for children with disabilities in all states and districts across the United States. Beyond a free and appropriate education, the purpose of the act also assured that the rights of children with disabilities and parents be protected, to assist states with providing education to all, and to assess the effectiveness of efforts to educate all children with disabilities. In the school year following the signing of the act (1976-77), 3,694,000 students were served under the Education for all Handicapped Children Act.
Reference:
A History of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (November 24, 2020). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved November 15, 2021 from https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History#1975.