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The public attitude towards the education of exceptional children changed significantly during the 20th century.
In the 19th century, mentally retarded children were placed in institutions where they were mistreated and rarely educated. Individuals like Witmer and Farrell, gradually changed the treatment of individuals with disabilities. Interest groups formed associations promoting the well-being of the disabled. This generated changes in public policy which created laws for the equal treatment and education of exceptional children. -
Watson v. City of Cambridge
Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled feebleminded children or those who could not physically take care of themselves could be kept out of the public schools. The Court agreed a student could be expelled based on ability. -
Lightner Witmer formed the first psychoeducational clinic at University of Pennsylvania
Lightner Witmer opened the psychological clinic at the University of Pennsylvania to examine and treat children who suffered from mental retardation or physical disabilities who performed poorly in school. Clinics were adopted by large urban school districts and emphasized practical life skills, individualized approaches, and small class sizes for students with disabilities. This is the first time someone assessed people with disabilities with the intention of improving their condition. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that races of citizens could be separated from each other in public facilities as long as they were given equal treatment. This ruling neglected to address the differences in quality of public facilities, particularly schools. This legal decision was used as a standard for excluding certain classes of citizens, including the disabled, from certain schools for years to come. -
First special education class established in NYC
Elizabeth Farrell taught the first class of special education students in the United States at the Henry Street School in NYC. She taught an ungraded class of 19 students; 12 of the 19 students were retarded. Farrell promoted the idea that exceptional children should be placed in special classes based on their specific needs, not their IQs. Her beliefs on special education continue to be expressed by the Council for Exceptional Children which she created in 1922. -
Henry Goddard published "The Kallikak Family: A Study in the Hereditary of Feeble Mindedness"
Henry Goddard told a story about the two branches of the Kallikak Family. Martin Kallikak married a woman from a highly respectable family and had an affair with a feebleminded woman. Goddard believed that intelligence was heritable, so he discouraged feebleminded people, like immigrants, from reproducing. Goddard fueled the Eugenics Movement by publishing this book, helping mantain the public opinion tabout the feebleminded. Goddard changed his view late in his life. -
The "Threat of the Feeble Minded" (pamphlet) was published
The "Threat of the Feebleminded" pamphlet promoted human rights abuses of people with disabilities. Feebleminded people were institutionalized and sterilized for fear that they would cause harm to the human race. -
Beattie v. Board of Education
A student with cerebral palsy was expelled from school because his teachers and classmates were disturbed by his speech, drool, and facial contortions. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court ruled schools could exclude students with disabilities because their special needs placed too much of a burden on the school and were distracting and disturbing to the staff and students as a whole. -
The Council for Exceptional Children was founded
The Council for Excpetional Children was founded on three basic principles: to bring together people who are interested in helping to educate children with special needs, to promote the education of exceptional children rather than their identification, and to create high standards for special education teachers. The CEC, which was founded by Elizabeth Farrell, has committed itself to training teachers and administrators in hopes of improving the lives of exceptional children. -
Forgotten Children pamphlet criticizes Eugenics Movement
The National Mental Health Foundation issued a pamphlet that reflected the claims of the Eugenics Movement and called for education of the mentally impaired. The brochure also implored others to be compassionate and to take care of the feeble-minded. The pamphlet helped to raise awareness of the educational needs of these forgotten children. -
The National Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC) is created
The goal of the NARC is to support the well-being of people with special disablities and to research ways to stop mental retardedness. The NARC has been a driving force for the increase of job opportunities for individuals with special needs. This association demonstrates that interest groups that support special education can have an impact on social change. -
Brown v. Board of Education Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation based on race violated the Fourteenth Amendment because segregation did not allow black children to receive an equal education. The decision emphasized the importance of education for a child to achieve success. Although the decision specifically addressed racial segregation, it was used as an argument for providing an equal education for all children, including those with special needs. -
J.F.K.'s National Plan
President Kennedy created a panel of physicians, scientists, educators, and other outstanding people in the field to treat and find a cure for mental retardation. The formation of this panel was part of Kennedy's National Plan to Combat Mental Retardation. President Kennedy's bold plan to address mental retardation changed the public opinion towards mentally disabled people forever. -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act Amendment of 1965 Enacted
Congress enacted the bill as part of President Johnson's "War on Poverty" to grant all children equal access to education. Educationally deprived children, especially children from poor families, received large resources from the government. This federal education bill demonstrates the importance of providing an equal qualitiy of education for all children. -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
A federal court applied the PARC decision regarding the education of retarded children to all handicapped children. It further rules that not having enough money was not an excuse for not properly educating the handicapped. Funds were required to be spent in a way that does not favor normal children over exceptional children. This ruling led to numerous lawsuits where many states were required to educate exceptional students appropriately in public schools. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania declared that all children with mental retardation will receive a free public education. Each child would receive an indivdualized education in a least restrictive environment (LRE). This case secured the right for each child to receive a quality education regardless of his or her mental difficulties. -
Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act enacted
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against disabled children in schools or other entities that receive federal financial assistance. Children with special needs will not be excluded from learning in schools. This act protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, so they receive a free and public education. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
President Ford signed this piece of legislation, so children with disabilities would have a right to a free, appropriate public education; would not be excluded from receiving an education; have an individual education plan (IEP); and will interact with peers in a least restrictive environment. This act also brought qualified people into the special education field. Teachers and administrators are responsible for making sure students with special needs receive the support they need. -
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) of 1975
IDEA requires that schools provide the individual or specialized education that children with disabilities need. Schools are required to provide free appropriate public education. Children with disabilities should be prepared to pursue further education and or be able to work and live independently. -
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is founded
The NCLD provides resources to parents and assists educators with tools for helping disabled children. This organization advocates for the disabled in the making of public policy by the goverrnment and public schools. -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
This case was the first time the EHA was interpreted by the Supreme Court. It ruled that the children had to benefit educationally from the instruction and not reach a specific level of achievement. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) reauthorized
This law reauthorized the EAHCA. It included a new provision for early intervention for preschool children with disabilities. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
This act provided civil rights protection for all people with disabilities, which included people attending public schools. This law served as an example for other countries to pass legislation regarding the civil rights of people with disabilities. -
Conclusion
A special needs child born in 1900 would have been isolated, instutionalized, and abused. Clearly, a special needs child born in 2000 will receive the support they need in education to become a functional adult. This would not have been possible without the change in public attitude towards the education of exceptional children.
