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The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons is Established.
Many wealthy families combined their resources and formed The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons in Hartford, Connecticut. It was the first school in United States for deaf students. The school was established by Mason Cogswell, Rev. Thomas Hopkins, and Laurent Clerc. During those times, the word asylum meant "safe place", and dumb referred to individuals that spoke unintelligibly. Today this school is known as the American School for the Deaf. -
The New England Asylum for the Blind was Incorporated.
During a trip to Paris, medical student Dr. John Fischer visited the world's first school for the blind. Upon his return to Boston, Fischer was inspired. He applied for and received a charter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to establish a school for the blind. Fischer recruited Samuel Howe to run the school. . It's name later changed to the Perkins Institution and Massachusetts School for the Blind ( name from 1877 to 1955). The school is now known as The Perkins School for the Blind. -
Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb is Established
History of Gallaudet UniversityIn 1864, an act of the United States congress,during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, authorized Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb to confer college degrees. College president, Edward Gallaudet (son of Thomas Gallaudet) and eight students initially comprised the National College of the Deaf and Blind. In 1893, alumni selected the name Gallaudet College in honor of Thomas Gallaudet (pioneer in the education for the deaf) -
The First Standardized Test of Intelligence is Developed
Alfred Binet and Intelligence TestingAlfred Binet develops a test to measure the differences between developing and exceptional children. Although not originally intended for gifted children, the Binet Intelligence Test marks the beginning interest in gifted children in the United States. -
Council for Exceptional Children was Created
CEC WebsiteA group of students from Columbia University convened to discuss ways in which educators could promote fellowship. The Council adopted what it called its three "aims": "To unite those interested in educational problems of special children, to emphasize the education of special children rather than his/her identification, and establish professional standards for teachers in the field of special education." -
Brown v. Topeka Board of Education ruling
Brown v. Board of EducationIn 1951, Oliver Brown, an African-American, began to seek entry into the local segregrated school. In 1954, after a unanimous vote, the Supreme Court ruled that school segregation is unjust and public schools should be desegragated. Today, many issues involving mainstreaming and inclusion in the general education setting are governed by the Brown decision. -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) v. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Bobby's StoryPennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) is a class action lawsuit against the state of Pennsylvania for witholding public education from children with mental retardation. The court ruled that the state's practices were faulty in regards to excluding children with retardation to an education.The court ruled that the interest of the handicapped were protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. This case becomes the basis for PL 94-142 and establishes the concept of FAPE. -
Mills v. Board of Education of District of Columbia
The District of Columbia had excluded children with exceptionalities from receiving an education by expelling students for behavior that was a result of their exceptionality. The schools did this without due process, therefore not giving them opportunitiy to be educated elsewhere. The case establishes the reponsibility of school districts to educate individuals with disabilities by deciding that schools cannot withhold special education because of financial constraints. -
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was the first major effort to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. It provides direct services to individuals with disabilities to help them become more qualified for employment. Section 504 applies to federally funded programs. -
American with Disabilities Act
The American with Disabilities Act was signed by George W. Bush on July 26, 1990. It is considered a civil right law or Public Law 101-336. This law prohibits the discrimination against persons with disabilities in the public or private sector of employment. It requires equal access to public services, including but not limited to: transportation, teecommunications, and accommodations for persons with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilties Act
Individuals with Disabilties Act (IDEA), known as Public Law 101-476, is the reauthorization of Public Law 94-142. The law adds traumatic brain injusry and autism to its disability categories. Furthermore, a transition plan from secondary programs by age 16 is added as well. Additionally, an expansion of related services is created to include additional therapies. -
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act, President George W. Bush's education reform bill, is the most recent iteration of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. It encourages funds to be invested in educational practices that are successful. Its four reform principles are: Accountability, Flexibility, Research-Based Reforms, and Parental Options. -
IDEA 2004
President Bush -IDEA 2004The act clarifies that students with disabilties must be provdided with a Free and Appropriate Public Education. Special Education and Related services must be designed to meet the individual needs of each student. Significant changes were made pertaining to who should participate and what should be included in the IEP process.
