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1893 Walson v. Board of Education
On January 1, 1893, in Watson v. City of Cambridge, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled to exclude a student from public school solely based on lack of academic ability. During this period, public education was expanding in the US, establishing a precedent for excluding students with special needs. -
1896 Plessy v. Ferguson US Supreme Court
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was a pivotal United States Supreme Court case that affirmed the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal." The case originated when Homer Plessy, defied Louisiana's segregation laws by refusing to sit in a segregated train car. The court determined that as long as the separate facilities provided for different races were equal, segregation did not breach the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment -
1919 Beattie v. Board of Education
In 1919, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in the Beattie versus the Board of Education case, allowed public schools in Wisconsin to deny students with disabilities, concluding that including disabled students would be detrimental to other children’s learning. The court held that “the very sight of a child with cerebral palsy will produce a depressing and nauseating effect” upon others. Before the Civil Rights Movement, exclusion of disabled students was legal. ` -
1922 Council for Expectation Children
The Council for Exceptional Children is an international professional organization focused on improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities. CEC establishes standards for high-quality education and provides information, resources, and professional development for special education teachers. The mission of CEC is to enhance the education and quality of life for children and youth with exceptionalities and to engage families through advocacy and excellence. -
1954 Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a Supreme Court case decided on May 17, 1954, which determined that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court unanimously stated that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal,” overturning the “separate but equal” doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). This decision played a role in the civil rights movement and contributed to desegregation efforts across the United States. -
1972 Mills v. Board of Education
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia (1972) was a legal case initiated on behalf of seven students. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that students with disabilities are entitled to receive an education, and that the additional cost of accommodations for these students should not be a reason to deny them educational opportunities. -
1977 Foundation of Children with Learning Disabilities
In 1977, Pete and Carrie Rozelle established the National Center for Learning Disabilities, originally known as the Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities. As parents of two children with learning disabilities, the Rozelles dedicated themselves to supporting other families facing similar challenges. -
1990 Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees free appropriate public education, special education, early intervention services for eligible children with disabilities nationwide, and offers competitive discretionary grants. https://youtu.be/yY0WAZKbeY8 -
1997 Changes to IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 introduced several significant modifications to the original act.
• The inclusion of students with disabilities in state and districtwide programs.
• Revisions to determining eligibility and placement.
• Review process of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to promote the integration of children with disabilities.
• Updated guidelines for discipline of children with disabilities. -
2002 No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), in effect between 2002 and 2015, was the principal legislation governing K-12 general education in the United States. This law mandated accountability for schools regarding student learning and achievement. It sparked controversy partly due to the penalties imposed on schools that failed to demonstrate progress.
https://youtu.be/Q0WUqNO0qo4