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1st Public School in the U.S.
Boston Latin School was the first public school in the U.S. that was founded on April 23, 1635. The town planned and assigned public funds specifically for its education. This school was originally only for boys, whether rich or poor. Some famous students that attended this school were Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. Today, the school provides public education to boys and girls since 1972. -
1st U.S. School for the Deaf
Originally named Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons, American School for the Deaf was the first school for deaf persons in 1817. This permanent school was inspired by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. His neighbor’s daughter Alice was deaf and he communicated with her one day by drawing out the word hat on the dirt and pointing to his hat. From there, he traveled and learned the French technique of Sign Language and used it to teach the school in Connecticut. -
The 1st U.S. School for the Blind*
In Massachusetts in 1829, Dr. John Dix Fisher and Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe were the first to open a school designated for the blind in the U.S. It was from Dr. Fisher’s inspiration to visit Paris’ school for the blind, which had him advocate his friends that were part of the Boston Society to open the charter school. The link will provide further information on how the founders were inspired and well succeeded in this school even a hundred years later. https://www.perkins.org/founders/ -
The U.S. Federal Department of Education
Federal Department of Education’s first intention in 1867 was to collect information to help create effective education throughout the states. However, this evolved into receiving further federal financial assistance. This financial aid assists from elementary to post-secondary education. Over the years, the Department of Education supported laws that will effectively guard equal access to education. This list of types of individuals grew from race, disability, income, and gender. -
U.S.'s First Special Education Classes
The first public special education classes were opened in Rhode Island in 1896. These special education classrooms are very different from what we have in the 2020s. There was “formal” training for teachers getting suggestions from mental asylums and institutions. Many doctors claimed that a disability was a social problem and could not be improved through education. -
1st Advocacy Group for ESE
The first advocacy group for children with disabilities was founded on February 24, 1922. Council for Exceptional Children now helps internationally, and it all started with a group of students attending Teachers College of Colombia University with their professor Elizabeth Farrell. They help provide professional development and knowledge while advocating for laws to assist those with disabilities under the education system. -
PARC Vs. Pennsylvania
This case resulted in 1972 that whether with an intellectual or developmental disability, the state can not deny a student’s right to equal access to education. Fourteen families fought and advocated for their children. This was one of the first cases to address and minimize the lack of equality between typical students and students with disabilities in a school setting. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This civil rights law was passed in the United States in 1973. This law states that it is illegal to discriminate against students with disabilities by denying their educational rights, services, facilities, and activities like their nondisabled peers. -
EAHCA/IDEA of 1975*
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) of 1975, now called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), is a federal law that ensures all students with disabilities from infanthood to young adults are provided Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Additional sections, such as appropriate evaluation, procedural safeguards, individualized education plan, least restrictive environment, and more will be explained through this video. https://youtu.be/Uf34C3CkfX8 -
ESE and Florida Assessments 1979
As ESE students take standardized assessments in inclusion and general curriculum self-contained classrooms, specific accommodations were added to these state assessments. For example, flexible scheduling (student has more time), flexible setting (test individually or small group), recording of answers (paper, technology, or orally), revised format ( larger print and/or braille), and audio presentation (recorded versions of the test or live presentation by test administrator).