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First special ed. school in the U.S.
In 1817, the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb was established in Hartford, Connecticut. Special education programs continued to be provided in asylums up until the end of the nineteenth century where they started including special classes in public schools. The opening of the American Asylum in 1817 was important because it was one of the first steps in creating education for people with disabilities. -
The Perkins School for the blind
In 1829 the Perkins School for the blind was founded by Gridley Howe. This school was the first school in the United States that provided education tailored towards blind students. The opening of this school set the pathway for many other states to start opening schools that were tailored to help students with disabilities. -
Brown V. Board of Education
In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled any segregation in schools as unconstitutional. This involved advocating for all students who experienced inequality in school. This movement then set the pathway for later progress with students with disabilities. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The ESEA was passed in 1965 and required the federal government to provide and protect students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This ensured that every student had equal access to education. The ESEA also had a grant program that encouraged school to improve their programs for students with disabilities which was an essential component that specifically helped and targeted students with disabilities. -
Mills v. Board of Education of D.C
Mills v. Board of Education of D.C was the first case to fight for the right to free and appropriate education for students with disabilities. This required the state to provide alternative education services and prior and continuous review of the student's status. Overall, this ensured that no child with disabilities could be excluded from public education due to the students needs or funding issues. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits any discrimination towards students with disabilities. It ensures that every child with disabilities has equal access to an education and is able to receive accommodations. This law set the foundation for more inclusive practices in schools and promoted equal opportunities for all students.
504 article -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This law gives people with disabilities an equal opportunity to employment, accommodations, transportation, and more. It also included people with aids into the definition of disability. Overall, it ensured that people with disabilities would not be discriminated against in the private sector. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA of 1997 ensures students with disabilities continue receiving services, even if expelled and allows the developmental delay category to extend through age 9. It also requires more access to the general education curriculum as well as requiring a general education teacher on IEP teams. Additionally, it requires a behavior management plan to be included in the student’s IEP if a student with disabilities has behavior problems. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act was implemented to find a way to improve the performance of elementary and secondary schools in America while also ensuring no student is left behind. It covers improving teacher quality and implements early reading interventions. Lastly, it also offers more school choice for students and parents. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and focused on giving all students equal opportunities to succeed. It kept accountability standards, state testing, and school choice options for parents but gave states, districts, and schools more flexibility in how they use federal education funds. ESSA also reduced some federal rules, like the requirement for highly qualified teachers.
ESSA Video