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American School for the Deaf, Founded in Heartford, Connecticut
A crucial milestone for the way society viewed people with special needs, the school was founded based on goals of literacy, salvation, and the skills needed to earn a living. The school was established using sign language from the beginning and yet continues to educate many deaf and hard of hearing students. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
The Supreme Court ordered legal segregation between whites and blacks as long as they were created equal. This is an example of how different students are treated based upon their differences. As the saying goes, "seperate is not equal" which applies to special education versus general education as well. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. Board of Education fought for desegregation of the school systems in the United States. This began the legislation for Special Education in the schools. The story of Brown vs. Board of Education ended legal segregation in the public schools on behalf of "seperate but equal". -
Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia
This case was one of a few that ensured all students the right to public education, paid for no matter the cost. Prior to this case, many schools did not offer education to students with disabilities. The court decided that free education must be offered to all students, based on the students' individual needs. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
Many children with disabilities were not allowed access to the public school system. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was one of the few that enabled public education to all students, regardless of the cost. All schools recieved federal funding which provided equal access for all children with disabilities to be provided with education. -
No Child Left Behind
The NCLB act was designed to establish state academic standards and state testing systems in each state that meet federal requirements. The goal was to close the achievement gap and give parents more of a choice on the school that their child is attending. The "one size fits all" act is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. -
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This law ensures services to all children throughout the nation who have a disability. IDEA monitors early intervention, special education and other related services to many, many children of an assortment of ages. After the ball began rolling with Mills vs. Board of Education, several acts supporting help for students with disabilities sprang up.
