Throughout the years, the general attitudes concerning the placement of special education students have changed over the years. The recent trend toward independent living for special education students is a step in the right direction, but special education programs have a way to go.
Both Public Law 94-142, Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require that all school systems that receive federal funding must comply with Section 504 by making "free and appropriate public education" available to eligible and qua…