Gemily Pomareda - Module 1: History of Special and Inclusive Education Timetoast Timeline

By Gemily Pomareda

  • First U.S. School for the Deaf Established

    First U.S. School for the Deaf Established
    Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet founded the American School for the Deaf. The teaching method in the school was modeled after European schools for the deaf and started with a limited curriculum of communication, religion, and vocational subjects. The school gradually added more academic subjects that better prepared its students for earning an independent living. The school continues to educate deaf and hard-of-hearing students from preschool to 12th grade.

  • First U.S. School for the Blind Established

    First U.S. School for the Blind Established
    Perkins School for the Blind was founded in Massachusetts to educate and provide opportunities for visually impaired students, including blind and deafblind students. The school was founded after educational practices in France for the blind were observed. Since its opening, it continues to educate children and young adults with visual impairments and has grown to make a global impact.

  • Brown v. BOE Ruling

    Brown v. BOE Ruling
    This U.S. Supreme Court case focused on the racial segregation of students in public schools. The Supreme Court decision ended legalized racial segregation of students in U.S. public schools. The Supreme Court also overruled the “separate but equal” doctrine and identified it as unconstitutional.

  • Center Academy Opened

    Center Academy Opened
    This full-day special education private school was founded in Florida by Dr. Mack Hicks. It started in a small church but has expanded to several locations ever since. Center Academy began offering specialized classes for those with learning difficulties. Since its opening, Center Academy has provided academic opportunities for those with dyslexia, ADHD, and on the autism spectrum.

  • PARC v. PA Consent Decree

    PARC v. PA Consent Decree
    A lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania regarding the unfair classification of students’ educational capabilities (Clearinghouse). This included the denial of public education to students who did not reach the schools' mental capacity expectations. The court agreed on a consent decree that required Pennsylvania to evaluate and place all students with mental disabilities in a proper publicly funded educational setting (Clearinghouse).

  • Atlantis Academy Established

    Atlantis Academy Established
    This school was first established in Miami, FL and focuses on specialized teaching methods for students with learning needs. The students are assessed and provided a personalized academic program during the school year, which includes social skills training. The school has several locations in Florida and educates students ranging from kindergarten to the age of 22.

  • Brehm Preparatory School Founded

    Brehm Preparatory School Founded
    Brehm Preparatory School was inspired by a mother’s desire for her son with learning disabilities to receive the specialized education he needed. Carol Brehm and several other professionals in the learning disability field founded the school for grades six through twelve and higher. The school utilizes “an Individualized Holistic Education Plan (IHEP)” that continues to educate and empower students with learning disabilities (Brehm).

  • IDEA Enacted

    IDEA Enacted
    The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that students with disabilities are provided a free public education and special education services. Public schools are also required to provide an Individualized Education Program (IEP) if needed for any student. The act also provides every student with special needs the opportunity to learn in an inclusive classroom environment with their peers.

  • CRCSD v. Garret F. Ruling

    CRCSD v. Garret F. Ruling
    This case regarded a student named Garret who required nursing services during the school day. The court in this case ruled that, under IDEA, the Cedar Rapids Community School District would be required to provide “school health services” to any student who needed them. This would allow these students, such as Garret, to attend school. The costs for these school health services would not need to be covered by the guardians of the students or the students themselves.

  • The Assistive Technology Act Enacted

    The Assistive Technology Act Enacted
    This act ensures that stable funding for assistive technology for people with disabilities is provided for educational purposes. The assistive technology helps students with disabilities gain a more inclusive educational experience. The act also helps bypass any difficult educational tasks for students with disabilities that require assistive technology.