Special education is part of the broad category of exceptional learners. Exceptional learners range from students reading years behind grade level to students reading years ahead. Within this broad spectrum, special education students are defined as individuals with special needs that accommodate their individual differences and needs. Through the use of inclusion classes, integration, and individualized education plans, the needs of each student are met.“In the United States, until the 1960s, educating children physically, mentally and emotionally disabled was provided for through a mixture of institutionalization, private tutoring, private schools, or public schools for the disabled” (Human and Civil Rights: Essential Primary Sources). Before President Gerald R. Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act on December 2, 1975, "students with conditions that prevented or interfered with walking, developmental disabilities, or genetic diseases, such as Down syndrome, were often ignored, institutionalized or guarded. at home without going to school” (Human and Citizen Rights: Essential Primary Sources). After the promulgation of this law, the vision of “special needs” was reformed. Individuals understood the concept better and tended to be more accepting of the idea. “Understanding of dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, auditory processing disorders, speech and language disorders, and other behavioral and neurological disorders has improved” (Human Rights citizen: essential primary sources). The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 required that all children, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, must receive FAPE from their local public school district. The importance of... middle of paper ...... ct. "Human and Civil Rights: Essential Primary Sources. Ed. Adrienne Wilmoth Lerner, Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, and K. Lee Lerner. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 459-462. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. November 26, 2011. Fuchs, Lynn S. and Douglas Fuchs. “Inclusive Schools Movement and the Radicalization of Special Education Reform – Search and read books, journals, and articles at Questia Online Library.” Inclusive Schools Movement and the Radicalization of Special Education Reform 60 (1994). Questia - The online library of books and magazines. Web. November 23, 2011. Schultz Stout, Katie. "Special Education Inclusion | Special Education | Issues Resource Pages | Issues and Advocacy | WEAC | Special Education | Issues Resource Pages | Issues and Advocacy | Wisconsin Education Association Council." Wisconsin Education Association Council . March 15, 2007. Web. November 23.. 2011.