-
American School for the Deaf - 15 April 1817
This is the oldest permanent school for the deaf in the US. It was founded in Hartford, Connecticut by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, Dr. Mason Cogswell, and Laurent Clerc and became a state-supported school later that year.
Website: http://www.asd-1817.org/page.cfm?p=1160 -
Civil Rights Act of 1866 - 1 January 1866
By declaring that all persons born here in the US are citizens this act provides that it was illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of color, race or whether they were a slave. This in turn would help in future litigation and provide remedy for those effected in the education system (Smith, Polloway, Patton & Dowdy, 2011). -
Easterseals - School for Special Needs Children - 3 March 1919
Businessman Edgar Allen lost his son in car accident and the lack of adequate medical services for his son made him start a fun-raining campaign to build a hospital. This act later encouraged him to open a school for children with disabilities offering services such as early intervention, OT, PT, Speech therapies and rehabilitation and much more. Video: https://www.youtube.com/user/easterseals1 -
Brown Vs. Board of Education - 6 October 1954
This is a consolidated case that fought for desegregation of all public school systems in the US and separate but equal was unconstitutional. This is the Spring Board For Litigation and Legislation regarding students with disabilities (Smith, Polloway, Patton & Dowdy, 2011). Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTGHLdr-iak -
Bureau of Education for Handicapped - January 1, 1965
Congress adds Title VI to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 creating a Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (this bureau today is called the Office of Special Education Programs or OSEP). -
Mills Vs Board of Education of The District of Columbia - 1 January 1972
This case involved the court establishing due process procedures to ensure all students had equal rights. This was a procedural law that was later included in public law No 94-142. The Board of the District of Columbia denied access to education for students who were special needs. The court found that free public education services, or a suitable private alternative paid for by the Board of Education, must be delivered based on the students' individual needs, regardless of cost. -
Public Law No. 94-142 - 1 January 1975
The Education for all Handicapped Children Act. This law secured the basic ideal, rights and responsibilities to ensure equal access to public education for all children who are disabled. The key element being that prior written notice be provided to the parent regarding proposes or refuses changes to identification, or placement of a child or FAPE. Website: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/idea35/history/index_pg10.html -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - 26 September 1973
This Law signed in by President Nixon prohibits discrimination in the work place and schools and any entity receiving federal funding. This plan mandates individualized plans for eligible disabled students who need accommodations or modifications in or order to receive FAPE. Least restrictive education mandates is an essential element as far as placement to the learning environment. -
The Rowley Decision - 1 January 1982
The US Supreme Court's first interpretation of what was then called The Education For All Handicapped Children Act (now the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, "IDEA"). "Basic Floor of Responsibility" and "Some Educational Benefit" a two part test can be implemented now when working through specific case issues. -
The American With Disabilities Act - 26 July 1990
This law prohibits discrimination by your employer, services received by state and local governments, in places of public accommodation, transportation and telecommunication. This is key because a public school is included under this law by providing civil rights protection to individual with disabilities. Website:
[(https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/ada)] -
No Child Left Behind - 1 January 2001
NCLB is the "level the playing field" in education. There are several standards such as adequate yearly progress, use of "scientifically based research", teachers who are "highly qualified", evaluations and minimum standards for paraprofessional. Sanctions apply to some of the above if standards are not met. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSTzLILQx3c -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) - 10 December 2015
The ESSA was signed by President Obama. The new law retains the hallmark annual standardized testing requirements of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act but shifts the law's federal accountability provisions to states. Under the law, students will continue to take annual tests between third and eighth grade. Website: https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn
