History of Special Education

By ernindamo

  • The American Asylum of Education 1817

    The first special education school, American Asylum of Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. Moreover, the school was established in Hartford, Connecticut, and had used the term ‘dumb’ for being unable to speak. The founder was known as Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and today the school is called The American School for the Deaf. For more information on the history of the upcoming of this school click here: https://connecticuthistory.org/gallaudets-vision-advances-deaf-education/

  • Brown v. Board of Education 1954

    The supreme court created a law that it is unconstitutional to have segregation within schools for all students. To continue, it was discovered that the 14th amendment, which is based on an equal protection clause, was not practiced and encouraged the inferiority of students in public schools. Today segregation within any educational system is deemed illegal and for students with disabilities, equal rights should be acknowledged.

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) 1965

    ESEA is a law that was passed to ensure schools are providing the proper quality of education for students who come from low-income households or for students who attend public schools. Furthermore, ESEA is a program that funds primary and secondary education schools. The passing of the ESEA has given hope and provision to families who desire to give their child optimum education but may not financially be able to.

  • Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1971

    Students with mental disabilities filed a lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania due to the finding that some state laws still allowed the denial of free public education towards students with mental disabilities. Moreover, the United States District Court found the PARC to be correct and declared these laws unconstitutional. Pennsylvania is required to have special education for students with mental disabilities.

  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District Columbia 1972

    Mills saw the importance of not only providing equal rights and quality to education for students with mental disabilities but education for students with any kind of disability. Additionally, it was agreed by the United States District Court to not withhold free public education to a student with any kind of disability. As this law was established in 1972, it should also be noted that the federal government agreed that students with any disability should have excess to free public education.

  • Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities (NCLD) 1977

    An organization was established to provide students with learning disabilities, attention issues, and more with support. The goal of NCLD is to ensure each individual is receiving the proper academic, social, and emotional skills to be successful in their work, school, and life. The members of the NCLD foundation provide advocacy and research findings; additionally, to find out more about the NCLD watch the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfI8t4Uff34

  • Education of the Handicapped Amendments Acts 1986

    Also known as Public Law 99-457, this law was established to focus on individuals of infancy to ages 2. To continue, the Education of the Handicapped Amendments Act of 1986 served two purposes. Firstly, the law mandates that preschool programs should be for students ages 3-5. Then, the law also states that early intervention programs should be accessible for infants till age 2.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990

    The ADA is a civil rights law that was passed enabling equal rights for people with disabilities in every public area. Moreover, the ADA is a protective law of opportunity for all that have been diagnosed with a disability or disabilities. There are 5 sections to this law, but specifically, section 3 speaks on how it is illegal to discriminate against a person with disabilities or to refuse to accommodate a person’s needs.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)1990

    IDEA is a law passed to support special education and to ensure program services are available. Additionally, students with disabilities must be offered the proper services to address their personal needs. Not only does IDEA makes sure the student with special needs is taught how to be prepared for employment and living independently, but it also protects individual rights.

  • No Child Left Behind Act 2016

    A change in the view of educating children from ages K-12. Children were to face academic testing and results would hold schools accountable. Additionally, if a student is protected under the IDEA or has a 504 Plan accommodations for the student statewide test will be provided.