History of Special Education and Inclusive Education

By sbast018

  • 1817 - Founding of the American School for the Deaf

    1817 - Founding of the American School for the Deaf
    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.

  • 1954 - Brown v. Board of Education

    1954 - Brown v. Board of Education
    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. Link: Brown v. Board of Education Video
    https://youtu.be/OkuiMr2tLJE?si=EuZlROtry6u8a5WQ

  • 1965 - Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    1965 - Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
    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

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

    1973 - Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)
    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)

    1975 - Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
    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