History of Special Education and Inclusive Education

  • First American School for the Deaf

    First American School for the Deaf

    The founders of the first school for students who were deaf were called Thomas and Laurent. This school was established in Connecticut. This school was able to give special instruction for deaf students or with a disabilities. It was a very impactful and important creating that showed that students with disabilities can still learn if they are given the right type of instructions in education.
    Link: https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2438/Special-Education.html
  • Perkins School for the Blind Opens

    Perkins School for the Blind Opens

    To be able to give an education to those kids who were blind, the Perkins School for the Blind was created in Massachussets. It gave students special education and inspired other schools for those students with impairment. It was a starting point for many other schools to come.
  • PARC v. Pennsylvania

    PARC v. Pennsylvania

    Children with educational disabilities have the right to a free public education, based on a lawsuit filed by the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children against the state of Pennsylvania. The FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) principle was successful in this historic case.
    Link: https://www.wrightslaw.com/law/art/history.spec.ed.law.htm
    Inclusion/Relevance: Supports FAPE and inclusion
  • Mills v. District of Columbia

    Mills v. District of Columbia

    This decision made in this court case made it clear that poor financing cannot be used as an excuse to keep students with disabilities out of public schools. It made sure that school districts' legal duty to offer services to every student, even those with disabilities.
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    This section made sure that discriminating against students with disabilities in programs that are given federal funding or help from the government is illegal under this federal law. It made sure that students had the same rights and protections as those granted to people of color, women, and people with disabilities. Link: https://www.projectidealonline.org/v/special-education-law/
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142)

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142)

    This law made the least restrictive environment (LRE) principle, required individualized education programs (IEPs), and demanded free and personalized public education (FAPE) for all students with disabilities.
    Inclusion/Relevance: Introduced LRE
    Video Link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEHClBi3Kvg
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    P.L. 94-142 was checked and renamed by the DEA. It gave more qualifying criteria, added transition planning for older students, and increased the immensity of services. It made sure that all students were given the right to an appropriate education for students with disabilities.
  • IDEA Reauthorization

    IDEA Reauthorization

    Through the requirement that IEPs address access to the general curriculum, this reauthorization gave importance to inclusion in assessments. It guaranteed that students with disabilities could take part in district and state exams with their peers without disabilities.
    Inclusion/Relevance: Reinforced LRE and inclusion
  • No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

    By making sure that assessment data be reported and that children with disabilities be included in statewide exams, NCLB improved school accountability. The statute placed a strong emphasis on learning objectives for every student.
  • Aimee Mullins TED Talk: “The Opportunity of Adversity”

    Aimee Mullins TED Talk: “The Opportunity of Adversity”

    Aimee Mullins talked about her experiences as an amputee, showing how hardship can encourage creativity and personal development. She created a more inclusive view of ability and questioned how society can view disabilities as a negative.
    Video Link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTwXeZ4GkzI