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Horace Mann
Horace Mann is an important figure in the 19th century. He fought for the idea of "public school" He referred to them as Common Schools. The idea was that everyone went to school together and it would create a more unified and understanding society. He also fought for school to be compulsory. -
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1800's
During this period a select group of people, mostly in the Northeast, were beginning to accept that people who suffered from a disability were entitled to some form of help. This can be seen with the creation of private institutions to help students who were blind or deaf. This was still a very new idea in America. All schools were private and required payment to attend. It is also important to note that during the majority of the 19th century, slavery and segregation was the law. -
First Residential School in the United States is founded
The American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb was founded in the United States. This is the first school ever created to help children with disabilities. -
New England Asylum for the Blind is established
Samuel Gridley Howe founded the New England Asylum for the Blind in Massachusetts. -
The First Teacher Training Program is Opened
The first ever teacher training program is started in Massachusetts. -
Braille Code is published for the first time
Louis Braille published Braille Code. This is one of the first examples of modifications being made to help people with special needs. For example, being able to read while also being blind. -
First public school class for children with special needs opens
The first ever public school class is created to aid children who have hearing impairments. It opened in Boston. -
First Professional Association is founded
Edouard Seguin founds the first professional organization that is concerned about people with disabilities. Today it is known as the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. -
National Education Association includes children with disabilities
The National Education Association creates a separate section with in their organization to include teachers of children with disabilities. -
The first program for students with learning disabilities is founded in NYC
Elizabeth Farrel creates a program for students who have learning disabilities in New York City. During this time period these students were referred to as "backwards" or "slow learners". It is important to note that this program dealt with issues other than blindness or deafness. -
Period: to
1900's
The first half of the 20th century was similar to the second half of the 19th century. Schools for students with disabilities were few and far between. During the middle to the latter half of the 20th century policy and understanding really began to shift towards a more of an inclusive environment, at least legally speaking. -
The Vineland Training School
The Vineland Training School in New Jersey creates a program for teachers who work specifically with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. -
Seeing Eye Dogs are introduced in The United States
The first seeing eye dogs were introduced in the United States. The dogs were used as a tool to help assist people who suffered from blindness. In essence it was one of the first accommodations for someone with a disability. (outside of a walking stick or crutch) -
First Law regarding testing of children in school
The first law that mandated the testing of hearing in school aged children was passed in New York. All school aged children attending school in New York had to have their hearing check. -
Brown vs. Board of Education Ruling
The landmark court case that ruled separate is NOT equal. It was the first step within the law that stated a person could not be denied entry into a school or building based on race. It took many more years to implement it fully and some would argue it still has not reached its full potential. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
While this law is not directly related to special education, it is important to recognized. This law ended segregation based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a significant step in creating a society where all people were protected under the law as equal citizens. President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill into law on July 2, 1964 -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
This legislation was passed on April 9th 1965. Its goal was to help provide resources so disadvantaged students could have access to a quality education.It is know as ESEA. It was amended a year later to add a grant program to help educate "handicapped" children. It was completely replaced in 1970 when Congress passed the Education of the Handicapped Act. -
The Education of the Handicapped Act
This Act replaced the ESEA. Its goal was to help the states in creating programs to educate and help students with disabilities. While there was money allocated to the states, there was no mandate for how to use the funds. -
PARC
A court case in which the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania ruled in favor of the Pennsylvania Association of Retarded People. The court ruled that the State was responsible for evaluating and placing all students that have a mental disability in a publicly funded educational environment. -
Mills VS. Board of Education for the District of Columbia
Another very important court case where the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The court found that the school department in the District of Columbia was not providing equal access to education. The court ruled that the school department is obligated to provide an education for students with disabilities even if they can not pay for it. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
This was the most comprehensive law congress passed to date in regards to protecting children with disabilities. The law stated that all handicapped children 'have a right to education, and to establish a process by which state and local educational agencies may be held accountable for providing educational services for all handicapped children." Congress passed the law on November 19, 1975 and President Ford signed it into law on November 29th, 1975. -
The Handicapped Children's Protection Act
President Reagan signed this Act into Law on August 6, 1986. This law gave parents a role in creating and developing IEP's (individual education plan) for students that have disabilities. -
Traumatic Brain Injury and Autism
Traumatic brain injury and Autism were added as new disability categories under the law. This was an expansion of disabilities that are protected under that law. Previously, they were not included. -
IDEA 1997
The Education for All Handicapped Children's Act became IDEA. IDEA stands for The Individuals with Disabilities Act. This law required protection, inclusion, and a proper education for all students who have a disability. The law mandated that all public schools have a plan and procedures on how to provide an appropriate education for all students with disabilities. -
No Child Left Behind Act
This Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush. This act updated the ESEA law. It required teachers of special education to be "highly qualified", that classrooms were safe, and that all students reach learning goals. This law included penalties if standards were not met. -
IDEA 2004
In 2004 Congress amended and reauthorized IDEA. In this re-authorization Congress enacted stricter expectations. They worked to create more accountability and better outcomes for children. It also mandated that all special education teachers be "highly qualified".
It had two main goals-1: the meet children's unique needs and 2: Protect the rights of parents and children. -
No Child Left Behind is Re-authorized
In 2015 President Obama renamed and re-authorized the No Child Left Behind Act. It is now called Every Student Succeeds Act.