Which of the following laws was introduced first in terms of special education reform?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is recognized as a pivotal piece of legislation that significantly reformed special education in the United States. Originally enacted in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, it was later renamed IDEA. This law established the right to a free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities and mandated schools to provide special education services tailored to individual needs.

In contrast, the other laws mentioned were introduced later and addressed different aspects of disability rights and education. The Vocational Rehabilitation Act, which focused on providing vocational training and employment services to individuals with disabilities, was enacted in 1973, making it precede IDEA in the realm of disability legislation but not specifically in educational reform. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990, broadened civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment and public accommodations, but did not specifically focus on education. No Child Left Behind, introduced in 2001, centered primarily on education reform for all students, rather than specifically addressing the unique needs of students with disabilities as IDEA did.

Thus, IDEA stands out as the first law that specifically targeted the improvement and reform of special education services, establishing essential rights for students with disabilities