“Permissive to Mandatory”: Special Education in the State of Wisconsin

Abstract

In the State of Wisconsin, Special Education began as educational rights and opportunities for the blind and deaf. By 1975, Special Education in Wisconsin had expanded to include education for all students, no matter the disability, and new and exciting ideas such as the Individualized Education Plan and the Least Restrictive Environment. Extensive state and federal legislation passed in the early 1970’s not only moved Special Education in Wisconsin from the permissive to mandatory basis it also gave every student in the State a free and appropriate public education and an education as similar to that of a general education student.