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In 1817 the first school that was dedicated to students with special needs was created. The school was called the American Asylum for Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb, it is now called the American School for the Deaf. The school was built in Hartford Connecticut, by Gallaudet, and created blueprint that other asylums followed. The aim of these "school' were to teach 'morality' to persons with disabilities. -
In 1896, the state of Rhode Island opened a special education class in a public school. It was the first of its kind in the United States of America. Almost 34,000 students were in special education classes by 1923. These classes were the solution to educate the increased number of students with disability. -
A group of education students created CEC to discuss ways to help students with disabilities. Their goal is to advocate for appropriate government policies, set standards, and help professionals to get resources and conditions. More information about CEC -
In the 1950s, the federal government allocated funds to help students with disabilities. Funds were also allocated for training educators to teach students with special needs. The federal government became officially involved in research on how to teach students with special needs and the training of special education professionals. Although, the federal government limited its involvement in these areas until 1970. -
Brown v Board of Education is a Supreme Court ruling that made it illegal for public schools to be racially segregated. This ruling helped students with disability to receive an education. This ruling was the foundation of another act (IDEA, 1975) that requires access to free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities. Brown v. BoE -
In 1973 Section 504 of the Rehab Act became law in September 1973. The law aimed to prevent discrimination against persons with disabilities. The law prevented discrimination toward persons with disability in federal programs, services, and other federal funding programs. These laws guarantee the right to equal opportunity under the law. This law helped to pave the way for other laws to aid persons with disabilities. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA is a law that makes free appropriate public education available to eligible children with disabilities nationwide. IDEA ensures that special education and services are given to children that qualify for them. IDEA is connected to the 1975 Act. This Youtube video explains IDEA -
In 1997, President Bill Clinton reauthorized and amended IDEA. The Act was amended to require the inclusion of students with disabilities in statewide and districtwide assessments, requiring measurable IEP goals and BIPs and FBA. In 2004 more amendments were made to IDEA. More information can be found at IDEA -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was a modernized version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, 1965). It was signed by President Bush. The Act affected public education in the U.S. It was important because it ensured that the students with disabilities reach the highest level of academic standards. -
The Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA is a law that holds schools accountable for how and what their students learn and achieve. ESSA also aims to give equal opportunity to disadvantaged students, including students with special needs. ESSA is a large and complex law that replaced the 2001 No Child Left Behind. (ESSA)[https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn]