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Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
Thomas H. Gallaudet physician who founded the first American school for the deaf in 1817 to improve the treatment of individuals with disabilities. He championed their right to education and personal growth. His legacy endures through institutions like Gallaudet University. -
American School for the Deaf
The first special education school in the United States, the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb was established in Hartford, Connecticut, by Gallaudet. -
Rhode Island Law for Special Education
Rhode Island passed one of the earliest compulsory education laws in the U.S., requiring children of certain ages to attend school. This law was part of a broader 19th-century movement to promote universal public education. -
Founding of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
The CEC was founded by educators committed to improving educational outcomes for children with disabilities. The organization has been instrumental in advocating for special education laws and providing professional development for educators working with students with special needs. -
Child Guidance Clinics
Child guidance clinics and counseling services were relatively common features of major cities -
Special Education Become Part of Public Education
Special education had become an identifiable part of urban public education in nearly every school district. -
First Special Institution at University of Illinois
The first institution for research on exceptional children opened at the University of Illinois -
Brown v. Board of Education
Although primarily a case about racial segregation, Brown v. Board of Education also laid the groundwork for future inclusion of students with disabilities in public schools. The ruling emphasized that "separate but equal" is inherently unequal, a principle later applied to special education, advocating for inclusive education environments. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
This case was a significant milestone in special education, establishing the right of children with intellectual disabilities to receive a free public education. The PARC case set a precedent for future cases and legislation, leading to more inclusive educational practices across the United States. -
Rehabilitation Act, Section 504
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was the first federal civil rights law protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs receiving federal financial assistance, including public schools, ensuring students with disabilities receive accommodations and services. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, enacted in 1975, required U.S. public schools receiving federal funds to provide equal educational access to children with physical and mental disabilities. Schools had to evaluate these children and create individualized educational plans with parent input, ensuring their education mirrored that of non-disabled students. This act amended the 1966 Education of the Handicapped Act. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/IDEA-History -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The IDEA was initially passed as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) in 1975. This landmark legislation ensures that children with disabilities have the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). It mandates that schools provide individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to the specific needs of students with disabilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66g6TbJbs2g -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a comprehensive civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability in all areas of public life, including education. It expanded the protections of Section 504 and IDEA, ensuring broader access to inclusive education and equal opportunities for students with disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NCLB emphasized accountability and included students with disabilities in state assessments. The act aimed to close achievement gaps, ensuring that schools focus on the educational progress of all students, including those with disabilities. -
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District
This Supreme Court case clarified the standard for educational benefits that schools must provide to students with disabilities under IDEA. The ruling emphasized that students with disabilities are entitled to more than minimal progress and should have ambitious educational goals.