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American School for the Deaf
American School for the Dead is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the United States. This school like the Perkins School for the Blind that came after it gave students an opportunity to learn despite their disability. Schools like this were essential for our current system of education. -
Perkins School For the Blind
The Perkins School For the Blind was the first school opened in the United States, originally called the New England Asylum for the Blind but was then changed. This is important because a general institution for knowledge may not be equipped to properly educate a blind student. In our current education system all students are welcome but it took specialized institutions to give our current systems a blueprint. -
Fourteenth Amendment
The 14th Amendment made all people equal citizens, which was the first step in making equality possible. The second section of this amendment also made equal representation of all citizens a reality. Thus making it possible for all people to have someone fight for their interests and rights. Relevant Website: https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxiv -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This gross misstep was a landmark case that made "separate but equal" okay so long the quality of the facilities was the same. This case essentially justified racism and segregation by giving it the power of law. This is a major event because it exposed the faulty rationale the system was operating under. Relevant Website: https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/163us537 -
Council of Excepotional Children
The Council of Exceptional children gives students representation that would otherwise not exist. A concentrated effort to fight for exceptional students is an essential part of making sure strides are made. All students should have representation and the Council of Exceptional Children works everyday to make that happen. Relevant Website: https://www.cec.sped.org/ -
Brown v. Board of Education
After nearly sixty years of inaction the Supreme Court was finally forced the reevaluate their Plessy v. Ferguson decision. This decision made it unconstitutional for public schools to be separate for black and white students. This case was a landmark decision and was a clear step in the direction of equality. Relevant Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Pe3BTa1O8 -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This law made discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin illegal. While this may seem disconnected to education, this makes educators more diverse, this makes society a whole more inclusive thus directly impacting the landscape of education. Relevant Website: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
United States President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" led to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson primarily funded equal access to primary and secondary education. Children of impoverished homes deserved high quality of education and this Act was an attempt at providing that. Relevant Website: https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/education/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-of-1965/ -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This Section explicitly prevents discrimination against students with disabilities. This gives parents legal backing and allows students with disabilities to be part of a regular school without the administration discriminating against them. A key component of making sure all students are treated equally. This is Event 1 that relates to the inclusion of students with disabilities. Relevant Website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html -
Americans with Disabilies Act
This law prohibits discrimination based on disability, the law supporting individuals with disabilities directly impacts how school treat students with disabilities and staff with disabilities. Law that prevents discrimination is an essential part of ensuring people are treated equally and fairly. This is Event 2 that relates to the inclusion of students with disabilities. Relevant Website: https://adata.org/learn-about-ada
