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American School for the Deaf
The first permanent school for deaf people in America opened in Hartford, Connecticut by Thomas H. Gallaudet. It was originally known as The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons, but later changed to the American School for the Deaf after it opened another location in Alabama. In the 1800s, “dumb,” simply meant unable to speak. -
The American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) was formed in Maryland. Previously known as the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), this organization had the purpose of advocating for the rights and equality of people with disabilities. They also fought for those people to have full inclusion and participation in society. -
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children
The International Council for the Education of Exceptional Children is organization created by a group of students and their professor in New York. Their purpose was to advocate for the rights of children with disabilities. They hoped to emphasize the education of children with disabilities and established professional standards for special education teachers.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/001440295001600604?journalCode=ecxb -
The Cuyahoga County Council for the Retarded Children
The Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Council for the Retarded Children was established. This was the first parents’ group to be created and was followed quickly by several others in different states. The initial purpose of this group was for parents of children with disabilities to come together and support each other. They began to protest their children’s exclusion from public education which led to the creation of special class for disabled children sponsored by the parents. -
First Research Institution
The first institution for research on exceptional children opened at the University of Illinois. Its focus was on a new field of special education referred to as the, “slow leaner.” Today we call this a learning disability. -
President's Panel on Mental Retardation
President John. F Kennedy created the President’s Panel on Mental Retardation. The panel consisted of 27 people who were to create a plan for the assistance of mental retardation. He focused on assistance with their living and education and providing research centers. President Kennedy changed the public’s attitude towards those with disabilities.
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/john-f-kennedy-and-people-with-intellectual-disabilities -
Association for Children with Learning Disabilities
A group of parents and professionals who have experience with disabled children got together during a conference in Chicago. Their main focus was the need for services their children needed, but were not getting. From there they laid the framework to develop laws, theories, educational practices, and research. A group of volunteers from this group formed the organization known as the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities officially named in 1964. -
Education and Secondary Education Act
ESEA was a part of President Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” It made education the forefront of his fight to end poverty and represented his commitment to bring equal opportunity to quality education. ESEA provided funds to primary and secondary education for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support education programs, and to increase parental involvement.
https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/education/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-of-1965/ -
PARC v Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) vs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PARC brought forth the first right-to-education lawsuit by challenging the constitutionality of excluding a person from public education due to their mental disability. Ruling in favor of PARC, the state was no longer allowed to deny any child with a learning disability access to free public programs of education. -
Vocational Rehabilitation Act
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act was enacted. This was the first civil rights legislation in the U.S. designed to protect those with disabilities from discrimination. It defined handicapped person and how to provide appropriate education. This act prohibits any local, state, or private organization that uses federal funds from discriminating against a person with a disability. This was not only significant in education, but also in the workplace.
http://youtu.be/O8YsIhcuvzw -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act
The Education for all Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was established to protect the rights and needs of children with disabilities and improve their overall lives. This act also required that all public schools who received federal funding to provide access to education to all children including those with disabilities. They had to evaluation and create a plan for each child to best represent the education of a child without a disability. -
Honig v. Doe
The Supreme Court ruled that the California school Board had violated the "stay put" provision in the Education for All Handicapped Children Act which requires a student to remain in their educational setting pending review of any proceedings. This court case ruled that schools cannot expel students for behaviors related to their disability. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was amended from the EAHCA from 1975 and amended as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act in 2004. This legislation had the purpose of ensuring all children with disabilities receive appropriate education throughout all of their educational years. It expands the categories of disabilities, requires the state to offer transitional assistance into the workplace, and expands assistance to include assistive technology. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act signed by President Bush had a focus to improve student educational outcomes in elementary and secondary schools. This includes improving teacher quality, support to keep schools safer, and providing assistance to English language learners. This act reauthorized and amended federal education programs established under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
President Obama signs the, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which acknowledges equal opportunity for every student. This replaces the NCLB Act, but still includes most of its content. It provides more support and resources for schools when a child is not making enough progress. It gives the control and responsibility of student accountability to state and local government rather than the federal government.
https://youtu.be/zWQGmU-J80Q
