-
The First School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf was the first school for children with disabilities anywhere in the western hemisphere.
Oldest school for the Deaf -
Elizabeth Farrel
Elizabeth Farrel was a teacher and the first person to teach a class of special education students in an American public school. She also was the first president of the Council for Exceptional Children. -
Gifted Education
The Teachers College at Columbia University begins a training program for educators of gifted students. -
Wolf Wolfensberger
Wolf Wolfensberger introduces the concept of normalization to the United States -
Section 504
Section 504 is a civil rights statute that requires the needs of students with disabilities to be met as adequately as the needs of the non-disabled are met. The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, in programs receiving federal financial assistance, in federal employment and in the employment practices of federal contractors. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
In 1975 the United States Congress enacted the Education for Handicapped Act (EHA). This allowed handicapped children in public schools to get a free meal each school day and have access to an education. To be qualified as a disabled student the student must have either mental or physical disabilities. -
CEC's First World Congress
CEC's First World Congress on Future Special Education convenes in Scotland, with more than 2,000 participants from 39 countries. -
1990 - PL 10-476
1990 - PL 10-476, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is passed; among other provisions, emphasizes transition planning for adolescents with disabilities -
People First Language
This law developed "people first" language to refer to people who have disabilities, included social work, assistive technology, and rehabilitation services to special education services, and required transitional education programs for students with disabilities to transition to employment. -
No Child Left Behind
NCLB was signed into law with the purpose of every child can learn. It held schools accountable for results, flexibility in how federal money is spent, used scientific research to guide classrooms, and involved parents in giving them information and choices. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
All qualifying children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.Schools must create a written statement of the educational program designed for the child. Students with special needs have Individualized Education Plans that parents must approve. Students with disabilities should have “access to the general education curriculum in the regular classroom, to the maximum extent possible.” video -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Advances equity by upholding critical protections for America's disadvantaged and high-need students.
Requires—for the first time—that all students in America be taught to high academic standards that will prepare them to succeed in college and careers. -
New School Opens At Site Where Boy Was Restrained And Later Died
A new school for students with disabilities has opened at an El Dorado Hills campus. About 31,000 students are enrolled in special education classrooms in Sacramento County’s school district.
