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Dorothea returned to Boston in 1837 and began working in a corrections facility where she observed the treatment of people with mental illnesses (Levin, 2019). In 1843, Dix submitted her findings which were sufficient for passing a bill to enlarge the Worcester Insane Asylum (Gregersen, 2021). Through the next 40 years, she influenced legislators in 15 states to develop 32 asylums. (Gregersen, 2021). Photo retrieved 29 July 2021 from, https://www.britannica.com -
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts found favor of the city school committee (defendant) decision that excluded a student (plaintiff) for being too "weak-minded" and "troublesome to other students" (Watson v. City of Cambridge, 1893). Thus, the court affirmed the authority to the city school committee in decision making that allowed the exclusion of students with disabilities. Photo retrieved on 29 July 2021 from, https://historyofmassachusetts.org/cambridge-ma-history/ -
Legislation allowed for educational institutions to segregate and expel students with disabilities.
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The 1919 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a student could be excluded due to a disability. The student had a condition that caused him to drool, show abnormal facial expressions, and have a speech-related problem (Yell et al., 1998). The school found it too troublesome and expelled him, suggesting that he attend an alternative school (Yell et al., 1998). Photo retrieved on 29 July 2021 from, https://www.sutori.com/story/the-history-of-special-education--cFG8mMko5ww2MMUj3uq2Avpm -
The Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional. Though this landmark was explicitly intended to afford equal opportunities for students regardless of race, many considered this right equally applicable to students denied educational opportunities due to disability (Yell et al., 1998). Photo retrieved on 29 July 2021 from, https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/brown-v-board -
For decades, people held negative views toward students with disabilities. Leaders did not positively view people with intellectual disabilities until the 1960s and 1970s (Wolensberger, 2011). Institutions for students with intellectual disabilities lacked space, sanitation, employees,
mental health professionals, and funding (Wolensberger, 2011). Wolfensberger shed light on the issues with these institutions and addressed them worldwide. Photo retrieved from https://wolfwolfensberger.com/ -
President John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act of 1963, which allowed grants for community-based centers for those with mental health and severe intellectual disabilities (Community Mental Health Act, 1963). Kennedy's signing of the act brought about the deinstitutionalization of mental health facilities (Kauffman et al., 2021). Photo retrieved on 1 August 2021 from, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/20/kennedys-vision-mental-health/3100001/ -
In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) into law (U.S. DOE, n.d.). The Act provided grants for low-income students, funding for special education, and scholarships (U.S. DOE, n.d.). Photo retrieved on 1 August 2021 from, https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-06-09/view-the-elementary-and-secondary-education-act-as-a-civil-rights-law -
The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) filed a class-action lawsuit against Pennsylvania schools for denying equal rights for students with disabilities (Yell, 2013). The court ruled in favor of PARC and required schools to offer an appropriate education at no cost for students with disabilities (PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1972). Photo retrieved on 1 Aug 2021 from, https://www.sutori.com/story/historical-timeline-of-special-education--jux34b811Z2YR1qNyC65A2wA -
The Mills v. Board of Education case facilitated in bringing educational rights to students with disabilities (Yell, 2013). The Board of Education failed to provide programs to students with disabilities and excluded them from public schools (Mills v. Board of Education, 1972). The court ruled in favor of Mills and required schools to offer students with disabilities adequate education at public expense (Mills v. Board of Education, 1972). -
President Nixon signed the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The act protected people against discrimination due to a disability (Yell et al., 1998). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requires public and private institutions that receive federal funding not to discriminate against children with disabilities (deBettencourt, 2002). Schools must provide accommodations and remove limitations that hinder disabled students from learning in the general education classroom. -
In 1975, Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This federal legislation brought together pieces of state and federal laws to one legislation for educating children with disabilities (Yell et al., 1998). The Civil Rights Movement and its legislative feats were a precursor to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Yell et al., 1998). Photo retrieved on 29 July 2021 from, https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was amended to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990. The law provided regulations for the education of children with disabilities for schools to receive federal funding (Kauffman et al., 2021). Under IDEA, schools must offer a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), provide each child with a disability an individual education plan (IEP), and educate them in the least restrictive environment. (Kauffman et al., 2021). -
President George Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001. The Act replaced the ESEA and applied to all K-12 public schools in the U.S (Lee, 2021). The law brought more accountability in the public schools, requiring standardized tests and penalties for students not meeting proficiency goals (Lee, 2021). Photo retrieved on 1 August 2021 from, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act -
Congress reauthorized the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 in 2004 (U.S. DOE, n.d.). Later, congress reauthorized the IDEA of 2004 through the Every Student Success Act of 2015 (U.S. DOE, n.d.). Photo retrieved on 1 August 2021 from, https://www.sutori.com/story/history-of-special-education--i49F6a9BYGLj8e2jSuc8eUGt -
President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 (U.S. DOE, n.d.). Several highlights of the Act include protection for disadvantaged students, ensuring high academic standards, and holding low-performing schools accountable for progress (U.S. DOE, n.d.). Photo retrieved on 1 August 2021 from, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Student_Succeeds_Act