This article covers the history and changes that took place in special education. Special education in the nineteeth century developed three major principles in order to protect students which followed them through adulthood so they could get the help they needed. Those three principles were protection, separation, and dependence. These principles would set the standard for care from the eighteen hundreds and through the nineteen hundreds and up to the 1960's when the court system changed laws.
Even with these laws and principles which seemed to help peoples special education needs, there still were flaws. Trying to protect children it seemed as if they were being cut off and out of the world. According to Winzer, "the activities of the reformers had the affect of limiting the opportunities for the people they wanted to help" Students would move into these institutions and get jobs but wouldn't progress to live on their own and build there skills.
This just makes me think about how much has changed in the last 50-60 years. Now and days kids that need extra attention or special needs aren't segregated out from the rest of the student population. Which I think is a good thing, they are getting exposed to everything that the other students are and also gives them more control over their life to do the things they want and enjoy. I think this makes them feel more comfortable with themselves and happy at the end of the day.
http://www.uk.sagepub.com/gargiulo4emedia/study/chapters/handbook/handbook1.2.pdf