CEC’s Partners Reflect on 50 Years of IDEA: Drexel University
November 29, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Originally passed as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, this landmark legislation guarantees every student with a disability the right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Over the past five decades, IDEA has opened classroom doors and transformed lives—ensuring that millions of children and youth receive the education they deserve.
As we commemorate this milestone, CEC is inviting our partners to share their stories—reflecting on their contributions to special education and how IDEA has shaped their work and impact. Drexel is an urban research university that offers over 100 undergraduate and 120 graduate and professional programs, including three special education graduate programs.
Drexel University’s Contribution
“Drexel University provides three transformative graduate programs to support the special education community:
- EdS in School Psychology
- MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- MS in Special Education
Each program is uniquely designed to prepare professionals to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities.
Drexel’s EdS in School Psychology program is grounded in evidence-based intervention. Students gain hands-on experience in schools, clinics, and hospitals, including a 1,200-hour internship under the supervision of certified school psychologists. This prepares graduates to conduct assessments, develop individualized education programs (IEPs), and collaborate with educators and families to support students with special needs.
The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis equips students to use behavioral assessment and intervention strategies to promote positive change in adaptive and social behaviors. The MS in Special Education program rounds out Drexel’s offerings with a focus on instructional strategies, legal frameworks, and advocacy for students with disabilities.
All three programs are designed with working professionals in mind. The EdS in School Psychology follows a hybrid model with in-person core courses and online electives, while the ABA and Special Education programs are fully online. Field experiences are embedded throughout, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world settings.
With a focus on real-world experience and collaboration, Drexel is preparing the next generation of educators to lead with empathy, expertise, and impact.”
Reflections on 50 Years of IDEA
“The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a promise that every child deserves access to education, regardless of ability. Since its inception, IDEA has elevated the role of educators in supporting students with disabilities.
At Drexel University, the principles of IDEA are grounded in the mission of our graduate programs in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), School Psychology, and Special Education. These programs are designed to prepare professionals who advocate for equity and implement evidence-based practices, changing lives of students and families.
For Callie DeMaria, MS in Applied Behavior Analysis ‘23, inclusive education was personal. As a first-generation college student raised by a single mother, Callie never imagined she’d earn a master’s degree. But after discovering Drexel’s ABA program, she found a purpose.
Callie chose the Autism Spectrum Disorder concentration, aligning her studies with IDEA’s key focus: supporting students with developmental disabilities. Her coursework included classes on teaching students with autism, behavior and sensory support, and ethical practices in ABA. These experiences prepared her not only for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam, but also for real-world impact in schools, where functional behavior assessments and individualized interventions are essential tools.
For Callie and other Drexel grads, IDEA laid the groundwork for inclusive education, and Drexel continues to build on that foundation. Drexel University’s graduate programs are pathways to meaningful change. Whether working in classrooms, clinics, or policy offices, Drexel-trained professionals are making a difference in the lives of students with disabilities and their families.”
Testimonials
“One of the big things I learned in the ABA program was behavioral assessment and functional analysis, which is something they don’t teach in other types of therapies. It teaches you to listen and pay attention to physical cues. In my work as an addiction counselor, I’m able to see people changing or going back to former behaviors. It’s a way to objectively see what an individual is doing, what their intentions are, and what is causing a behavior. When I know what is causing a behavior, I know what I can work on with them and help their chances of staying in recovery.”
