The History of Special Education

By moseley95

  • Perkins Institution for the Blind

    Perkins Institution for the Blind opened by Samuel Gridley Howe

  • Braille code published

    Braille code is first published

  • American Printing House for the Blind

    Created tools and resources to help the blind learn

  • National Deaf Mute College established

    Later to be renamed to Gallaudet University

  • Training of Special Education Teachers

    Formal training for teachers of blind persons begins at Columbia University, Alexander Graham Bell introduces the term special education

  • Colleges Train Teacher

    College level training for teachers for students with intellectual disabilities begins

  • Intelligence Test (IQ Test) Published

    Alfred Binec and Theodore Simon publish their intelligence test, the basis for modern IQ testing

  • Segregation of Class in Public Schools

    Segregation classes in the public schools are established as viable alternatives to instructing children with disabilities, the term emotional disturbance comes into use

  • Council for Exceptional Children

    Council for Exceptional Children is founded. It is a non-profit professional organization that help student with exceptionalities and gifted children.

  • Autism is Identified

    Leo Kanner identifies the characteristics of children with autism

  • Asperger Syndrome is Identified

    Dr. Hans Asperger identifies children with characteristics that later would come to be called Asperger syndrome

  • Brown vs Board of Education

    U.S. Supreme Court hands down decision in Brown vs Board of Education. This was the end of segregation in schools.

  • Learning Disabilities is New Term Used

    Samuel A Kirk introduces the term learning disabilities

  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    Congress provides funding to disseminate best practices for special education by adding Title VI to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)

    Amendments to the 1974 Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA), is enacted

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Americans with Disabilities Act is enacted; EAHCA is amended and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

  • No Child Left Behind Act

    No Child Left Behind Act increases accountability for outcomes for all students and requires that they are taught by highly qualified teachers

  • IDEA Raises Standards

    Reauthorization of IDEA raises standards for quality instruction for students with disabilities, elaborates on parent involvement and discipline, and defines highly qualified for special education teachers.

  • Rosa's Law

    President Obama signs Rosa's Law, which changes federal language usage from mental retardation to intellectual disability