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American School for the Deaf
The American school for the deaf located in Hartford, Connecticut was the first school in the Western Hemisphere devoted strictly to the education of deaf students. I chose this event because it was the first record event dealing with the education of students with disabilities. -
Columbia Institution
The U.S Congress allowed Columbia Institution for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind to provide college degrees to its students. This was the first school designed and set up for individuals with disabilities. -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is the first and largest advocacy groups for children with disabilities. Their main goal was to make sure that children with disabilities/special needs were provided a FAPE. I chose this event because it was the first time a major group advocated for children with special needs. -
Cuyahoga Council for Retarted Citizens
A parent advocacy group created by five mothers of children suffering from retardation, who protested after their children were excluded from public school in Cuyahoga, Ohio. This would lead to the creation of a parent sponsored special class for students with special needs. I chose this event because it was the first class designed for students with special needs/disabilities. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This was an historic court case that reversed the case of Plessy v. Fuerguson stating that "Separate is not equal". This case created attention to black v. white in school and special needs v. general education students, which encouraged the formation of advocacy groups to advise the public of the needs of special education programs.
First major law creating an equal educational opportunity for all students. -
Section 504
The 504 section of the Rehabilitation Act is the first law providing protection for individuals with special needs and disabilities from discrimination. Eligible students have either a physical or mental disability that inhibits their ability to learn. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This act made it possible for all students with disabilities to be educated in public schools. EAHCA provided free education, special education, supplemental services, due process, zero rejections and a least restrictive environment for learning. I chose this event because it gave all students access to free public education. -
Least Restrictive Environment
Least Restrictive Environment or (LRE) states that students with IEP's must also be placed in general education classes as must as possible, in order to ensure students, have normal social experiences. These LRE classrooms normally require a para or aid. This is one of the Acts that doesn't restrict the learning environment for students with disabilities, giving them access to mainstream classes. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
This Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush, granting people with special needs the same rights as all other individuals, which includes both the school and work environment. It also says that individuals with special needs can't be discriminated against in school, the workplace nor in everyday society. This was an important law giving individuals with disabilities rights against discrimination. -
IDEA
This was another Act turned into a law by President George W. Bush creating more protection for the rights of individuals with disabilities. This law consisted of 6 pillars: FAPE, LRE, IEP, evaluations, parent/student participation, and procedural safeguards to protect participants. This is another protective law improving upon the Americans Disability Act granting checks and balances for the education of students with special needs or disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind Act
Another important educational law signed by George W. Bush stating that student must be proficient in both math and reading by the year 2014. There were some states who stated they didn't want any parts of this law. I honestly think this is the law that had somewhat of a negative effect on education in the public school system.