History of Special Education

By jmorgentaler

  • American School for the Deaf Founded

    The first ever school for the Deaf is founded by Thomas Hopkins Galludet in Hartford, Connecticut

  • AAMR Founded

    American Association on Mental Retardation, (later changed to American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities), is formed. This group fought for rights for those with disabilities, including in education.

  • Act to Promote the Education of the Blind passed.

    The American Association of Instructors for the blind fought to receive federal funding for the education of blind individuals.

  • PL 86-158 created

    Funding training for educators of students with disabilities.

  • Learning Disabilities Association of America created

    An assembly of parents, educators, and clinicians formed a movement for providing services for handicapped children.

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act

    Fought the "war on poverty" by funding public education for all children. Amendments to this act provided grants for special education as well, making it more accessible.

  • Amendments to ESEA

    The Bureau of Education of the Handicapped formed, fighting for educational rights and financial support for students with disabilities,

  • PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    PARC, a special education non-profit sued the state of Pennsylvania after many of their children aged 6-21 were denied public education due to their disabilities. It was ruled that the state must provide free public education regardless of disabilities. This was a landmark case that later spread to other states, starting the guarantee of education to special needs individuals.

  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    Prohibited discrimination of students with disabilities. Section 504 organizes accommodations to those in need.

  • Education for All Handicapped Children passed

    Under President Ford, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was passed, requiring all states to provide equal education to those with disabilities. IEPs were created, FAPE introduced, and least restrictive environment starts gaining support

  • EAHCA Amended

    Autism and traumatic brain injury added as new disability categories, and a transition plan was added to each IEP.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

    This act extended the Rehabilitation Act by requiring accessibility and accommodations both in and out of school. For example, wheelchair ramps, interpreters provided, equal opportunity, transportation, etc.

  • EAHCA becomes IDEA

    The Individuals with Disabilities Education act included everything previously in EAHCA, but also provided services from birth to age 5.

  • No Child Left Behind Act

    Required schools to submit yearly progress reviews, students must meet grade standards, and all students were to receive equal education and opportunities.

  • Every Student Succeeds Act

    Replaces No Child Left Behind act and ensures that students with disabilities are taking the same standardized tests as their peers unless a severe cognitive disability prohibits it.