History of Special Education

American School for the Deaf

1817

American School for the deaf was founded in Hartford Connecticut by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. When the school was first open, it only had three students. ASD was started because there was a need in the deaf community. There was a man maned Sylvester Gilbert who had 4 deaf children and Dr. Mason Cogswell had a daughter that was deaf. They didn’t know how teach them, but their neighbor Thomas Gallaudet knew how to! https://www.asd-1817.org/

Council for Exceptional Children

1922

The Council for Exceptional Children is a non-profit organization that is concerned with the education and well-being of exceptional individuals. The CEC is has many different sources that can be helpful for special educators. CEC is the largest international professional dedicated to children with special needs.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954

The Brown family attempted to enroll their daughter Linda at an all white school, but the school denied her enrollment. A group of parents, including Linda’s dad sued the Topeka school board for segregation. It was part of the civil right movement and establish equal rights in education.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act

1965

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is a program created to fund schools that have students that come from low-income families. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is designed to give all students the same equal educational opportunities. This Act has been reauthorized every five years.

PARC v. Commonwealth of PA

1971

In this court case, the court ruled that the state could not deny an individual right to equal access to education based on intellectual or developmental disability. This case was brought to Pennsylvania on behalf of 14 families with children that are disabled

Section 504

1973

Section 504 of the rehabilitation act it’s a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. This law specifically prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities. It guarantees them a free and appropriate public education. Schools cannot exclude disabled students from facilities programs benefit activities or services.

EAHCA

1975

EAHCA stands for Education for All Handicapped Children Act. It requires public schools in the United states to provide equal access to education and free lunch for special needs children. Public schools evaluate children with disabilities and create an educational plan with parents input. EAHCA Was later changed to individuals with disability education act

Americans with Disabilities Act

1990

Americans with disability act protects people with disabilities from discrimination. It was signed by George Bush in 1990. Accommodations must happen to provide equal access to a disabled individual. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XMndYNEGFA

IDEA

1997

Individuals with Disability Education act was named previously named Education for All Handicapped Children. It serves the same purposes as a did back in 1975.

NCLB

2001

NCLB stands for No Child Left Behind. It was reauthorized by congress of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The goal of NCLB is to provide more educational opportunities for all students. NCLB also increased the academic progress of all students.