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American School for the Deaf
In 1817 in Hartford, Connecticut the American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb was opened by Thomas Gallaudet, Mason Cogswell and Laurent Clerc. It is now called the American School for the Deaf and is a place where deaf children can go to learn and aspiring teachers can train. They offer barrier free education along with ASL and English programs. -
First Special Education Class
In 1896 there were many teachers who felt that some children were "backward" and needed a special classroom to educate them. Rhode Island opened the first public special education class. Moving on to 1923, there were close to 34,000 students that were enrolled in public special education classes so there was clearly a need for them. -
The CEC
[CEC]https://exceptionalchildren.org
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was founded in 1922 by the educators and faculty at the Teachers College, Colombia University. This organization helps advocate and push for the improvement of special education for children in need. They are affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA) and try to involve families as much as they can. -
Brown v. Board of Education
In 1954 racial segregation was very apparent in schools and this ruled that public schools violated the fourteenth amendment because all citizens are guaranteed "equal protection under the laws." After this was passed it encouraged parents with special needs children to argue that their children were being segregated as well. This was a key start to families and teachers pushing for equal rights for children with special needs. -
Education Amendments Act
This act created in 1974 allows for additional funding for educationally deprived children and that includes handicapped, migratory and delinquent. There will be grants created so that the state and local educational agencies will have the proper funding in order to facilitate the children's needs. Public schools are allowed a certain amount of money per student but some need additional assistance so this act helped the teachers better facilitate their students needs. -
Education for All Handicapped Children
The EHA was designed so that all children no matter their handicap are entitled to a free public appropriate education and should be taught alongside typical children for as long as they can. They will be given an IEP and put in the least restrictive environment that is best suited to their needs. Whether their handicap be physical, emotional, mental or learning they are guaranteed the right to attend public school.
[EHA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=uhHPTFBvmCg -
IDEA
The first IDEA act was passed in 1975 by President Gerald Ford and it guaranteed appropriate public education with services to individuals with disabilities. Students with disables each have individual needs and this act was tailored so that each individuals needs would be supported. This was an immense moment in time for the future of special education. -
Individuals w/ Disabilities Education Act
In 1997 IDEA was revamped to better suit the changing disabilities and now includes Individualized Education Plan (IEP) which are created by the teacher, parent and personnel who are aware of the child's specific special needs. This is done within the public school system and is available to every special needs child. This act guarantees that a child with a disability will receive a free appropriate public school education and can be included in a typical classroom. -
No Child Left Behind
Low income families, students with disabilities and minority groups can often be left behind in terms of schooling. This act tried to ensure that all children were proficient in reading and math by setting higher standards and tests. The (ESSA) has now replaced the (NCLB) because it focuses more on state by state standards rather than the entire country. -
IDEIA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act is a revised version of the 1997 one that now includes Response to Intervention (RTI). It redefines the definition of what a highly qualified teacher is along with the core academic subjects. This also heavily concentrates on children aged 3-9 so that early intervention can be used for children that have developmental delays and need special education services.