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First Public School
Boston Latin School was the first public school opened in America. It originally served to educate young boys of all social classes. The school only accepted male students and hired only male teachers from its founding in 1635 into the 19th century. -
First Department of Education is Established
In 1867, President Andrew Johnson signed legislation creating the first department of education. Its main purpose was to collect information and statistics about the nation's schools. However, due to concern that the Department would exercise too much control over local schools, the Department was demoted to an Office of Education in 1868. -
First Public Special Education Class Opens
As teachers became aware of the increasing numbers of students with learning disabilities, Rhode Island decided to open the first public special education class in the U.S. in 1896. By 1923, nearly 34,000 students were enrolled in special education classes. -
Council for Exceptional Children Founded
The CEC was formed in the hopes that those interested in the education of special needs would unite. Elizabeth E. Farrell founded the CEC and today it's the largest individual advocate for the improvement of special education. -
Brown V. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was an influential Supreme Court case where the justices ruled that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. Brown v. Board of Education was one of the pillars of the civil rights movement and helped establish the precedent that “separate-but-equal” education and other services were in fact not equal at all. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/separate-but-not-equal-video -
The Training of Professional Personnel Act
In 1959, the act was passed in hopes of educating teachers on how to teach students with special needs. This act and other critical federal laws began to open doors for children with disabilities and their families. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
ESEA is a broad statute that funds primary and secondary education, emphasizing high standards and accountability. As mandated in the act, funds are authorized for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and the promotion of parental involvement. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
In the year 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Congress opened public school doors for millions of children with disabilities and established the foundation of the country’s commitment to ensuring that children with disabilities have opportunities to develop their talents, share their gifts, and contribute to their communities. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/ -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed by Congress in 1990, is the nation's first comprehensive civil rights law addressing the needs of people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 guarantees the quality of public education for all children in the United States putting emphasis on increased funding for poor school districts, a higher achievement for poor and minority students, and new measures to hold schools accountable for their students' progress.
