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The American School for the Deaf
In 1817, The American School for the Deaf was founded and marked as the first special education institution in the U.S. This school addressed the needs and provided services for deaf students from different parts of the U.S. This set the path for future efforts in developing instruction designed for students with disabilities. -
The Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children was formed in 1922 and consisted of individuals associated with Teachers College at Columbia University, including faculty members and administrators. The council advocated for disadvantaged students with exceptionalities and/or students with disabilities. Their efforts involved professional development for special education professionals and resources for families of students with exceptionalities. -
Brown vs Board of Education
This court case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, leading to the gradual integration of schools in the U.S. More specifically, "separate, but equal" was deemed inherently unequal and violated the 14th Amendment. This decision established Brown v Board of Education as a landmark case that shaped the lives and protected the rights of individuals with disabilities.
To learn more about Brown v Board of Education watch this video: https://youtu.be/NBlqcAEv4nk -
The Elementary and Second Education Act (ESEA)
The Elementary and Second Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 initiated efforts to protect and provide for students from disadvantaged backgrounds on the federal level. These efforts ensured equal access to the public education system. Some of these initiatives included free and reduced lunch and funding for state-level programs tailored to students with disabilities. -
PARC vs Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The 1971 Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) vs Commonwealth of Pennsylvania court case arose from children with disabilities being excluded from public schools. The court case concluded that the state was not allowed to "deny any mentally retarded child from access to a free public program of education and training" (Vaughn et al., 2018). This decision later influenced future legislation, highlighting the process of educational placement and parental participation. -
Mills v Board of Education of the District of Columbia
The 1972 Mills v Board of Education of the District of Columbia case surrounded the practice of excluding handicapped/disabled students from public schools in the District of Columbia. The court decision included providing alternative education services, periodic review of those services, and the child's progress (Vaughn et al., 2018). Similarly, PARC v Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was influential in drafting the later PL94-142, also known as The Education of All Handicapped Children Act. -
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act
The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL94- 142), passed in 1975, authorized states to guarantee a free appropriate public education (FABE) to all children with disabilities. This legislation first defined and introduced the idea of " least restrictive environments”. Essentially, students with disabilities should receive educational opportunities that permit interactions with non-disabled students while accommodating their needs (Vaughn et al., 2018). -
Honig v Doe
1988 Honig v Doe acknowledges the relationship between emotional and behavioral disorders and academic and social problems. An incident involving the suspension for violent behavior that was linked to a disability incited this court case. Ultimately, it was decided that schools cannot expel children for behavior related to their disability, and the state must provide services tailored to disabilities (Vaughn et al., 2018). -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Learn more at: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act-idea-what-you-need-to-know
Following a series of revisions to PL94-142, the 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was introduced that upheld the foundation of PL94-142, such as "least restrictive environment", with several additions. IDEA 1990 discontinued the use of “handicap”, replacing the word with “disability,” established Autism and TBI as new categories of disability, and mandated transition planning to begin for students at the age of 16. IDEA also extended its programs for bilingual students. -
IDEA 2004
In 2004, IDEA added new mandates, such as appropriate accommodations and alternatives for statewide assessments and Child Find, where schools locate and identify homeless or migrant children eligible for special education services. These revisions increased federal funds to provide those services, including early intervention. Another significant improvement was the recognition of the intersection between special education and race/ethnicity that was reflected in policies (Vaughn et al., 2018).