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Perkins School for the Blind
Samuel Gridley Howe was a promoter of educational reform who opened the first school for the blind in Massachusetts called “Perkins School for the Blind” He worked with deaf students and preferred to teach lip reading and oral communication as opposed to sign language. Howe also worked with famed student Helen Keller. -
Watson v. City of Cambridge
Excluding students with disabilities can be traced back in legal history to 1893. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts ruled that public schools could exclude students who demonstrated “imbecility”. John A. Watson was excluded from school because the school committee described him as “weak-minded” to benefit from instruction and a disturbance to the students. -
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was founded in 1922 by a group of educators from Teachers College, Columbia University, and their faculty members. It’s an association dedicated to encouraging the success of children with exceptionalities. The CEC advocates for legal governmental policies sets professional standards and provides professional development.
https://exceptionalchildren.org/ -
Brown V. Board of Education
This was the first court case that addressed racial segregation to influence Special Education. In Brown V. Board of Education, it was settled that racial segregation went against equal educational opportunity. The Brown decision geared to an understanding that all people, regardless of race, gender, or disability, have the right to public education.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g41X6_XY1rQ -
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
The federal Elementary Education Act (ESEA) was enacted in1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It authorized funds for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and promoted the involvement of parents. This Act made sure public schools provided quality education for all kids. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) (P.L. 94-142, Part B)
President Gerald Ford signed this act in 1975 after children with disabilities were being poorly educated and excluded from public school settings. With the adoption of this Act, Congress opens public schools for children with disabilities. This law states that all children with disabilities must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a free and appropriate public education, and be serviced in the least restrictive environment. -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District V. Rowley
This was the first Special Education case to land in the U.S Supreme Court. The court ruled that special education students must have access to programs that go with their educational needs and where they can benefit from instruction. The ruling gave lower courts a standard to go by when determining free and appropriate education. -
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (P.L.101-476)
The IDEA provides supplemental funding for state and local programming, mandated services, and added traumatic brain injury and autism to the disability category. It ensures that all children with disabilities have a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to meet their individualized needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. Congress reauthorized the IDEA in 2004. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NCLB Act increased the federal role in holding schools accountable for the academic progress of all students. It ensured that states and schools boost the performance of English language learners, students in special education, and poor and minority children. Each state had to give assessments in basic skills to all students at select grade levels to receive school funding. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA was signed by President Barack Obama as a law that governs the U.S K-12 public education policy. The law replaced the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and was modified but didn’t fully diminish the periodic standardized tests given to students. The ESSA ensures public schools provide quality education for all students.
