History of Special Education and Inclusive Education

1817 - Founding of the American School for the Deaf

Apr 15, 1817

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc founded the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States in Hartford, Connecticut. This event marked a significant step toward the formal education of students with disabilities in the U.S. Website
https://www.asd-1817.org/about/history--cogswell-heritage-house

1954 - Brown v. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

This landmark Supreme Court case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, laying the groundwork for later legal arguments in favor of integrating students with disabilities into general education classrooms. Brown v. Board of Education Video
https://youtu.be/OkuiMr2tLJE?si=EuZlROtry6u8a5WQ

1965 - Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

Apr 11, 1965

The ESEA was enacted to address educational inequality by providing federal funding for primary and secondary education. It included provisions for children from low-income families and laid the foundation for future legislation focused on students with disabilities.

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

Jan 7, 1971

This federal court case guaranteed access to public education for children with intellectual disabilities. It was one of the first legal cases to establish the right to education for students with disabilities, setting the stage for further inclusive policies.

1973 - Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)

Sep 26, 1973

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibited discrimination based on disability in programs receiving federal financial assistance, including public schools. This was a crucial step in ensuring that students with disabilities could access education in the least restrictive environment.

1975 - Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

Nov 19, 1975

Also known as Public Law 94-142, this act required public schools to provide equal access to education for children with disabilities. It mandated that schools create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and deliver services in the least restrictive environment.
Link: IDEA History
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History

1990 - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1990

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including schools. It ensured that students with disabilities had access to the same opportunities as their peers.

1990 - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Oct 30, 1990

This reauthorization and expansion of the EAHCA emphasized the importance of providing educational services to students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. It also introduced autism and traumatic brain injury as disability categories.

2001 - No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

2001

The NCLB reauthorized the ESEA and emphasized accountability and high standards for all students, including those with disabilities. It required that students with disabilities be included in state testing and accountability systems.

2004 - IDEA Reauthorization

2004

The 2004 reauthorization of IDEA emphasized early intervention, accountability, and educational outcomes for students with disabilities. It also introduced changes to IEPs and reinforced the importance of the least restrictive environment.