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The first special education school opened in the Unites States was the American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Dead and Dumb in Hartford, Ct. At the time, the definition of dumb was someone lacking the ability to speak. There were 7 students there in the first year. More information on this school can be found at https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/issues/asylum-deaf-dumb/ -
Founded by Samuel Gridley Howe, Perkins School of the Blind was the second special education school opened in the United States. It is located in Massachusetts. This event was exceptionally important to the development of special education in America as it caused many others to follow after Howe's example and open other special education schools in other states. -
In the Brown V. Board of Education case, the United States Supreme Court ruled that all children, regardless of ability or skin color, have an equal right to education. Schools that separate black students from white students were ruled as unequal and unconstitutional. Striking down this segregation provided a major catalyst for the civil rights movement and making advances in public accommodations and institutions of higher education. -
PL 85-926 provided grants for universities to prepare students for special education. This caused a huge turning point in the world of special education as it means that teachers were able to specialize in the field and are therefore more equipped to educate these children. These children, in turn, have more chance at having a fair education and integrating into society. -
This act ensured that schools had the funds needed to provide for a proper a proper environment for students with disabilities to receive the services needed, and could also help to ensure that students were able to integrate into mainstream schools when able to. The ESEA was revised in 2015 and became the Every Student Succeeds Act. -
The Education for all Handicapped Children Act guaranteed free and appropriate public education to all children with disabilities. This act ensures that all children can receive a free and appropriate public education, and to protect the rights of children and their parents. This act also assesses the effectiveness of education to children with disabilities. -
In 1989, the organization evolved from a foundation into a non profit and expanded its mission. The NCLD provides support for those with learning and attention issues so that they can learn and thrive as much as their peers. This organization advocates for children with disabilities and helps provide scholarships, awards and more to help them learn and develop. More information can be found at https://www.ncld.org/what-we-do/ -
The IDEA was founded in 1990 and it replaced the Education of the Handicapped Act. The IDEA states that all children, regardless of ability, are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. This provides equal access to education and services to all. -
The No Child Left Behind Act forced schools to demonstrate their success by showing the academic achievement of every single student. This causes the federal government to be able to guarantee the quality of public education for all children in the United States. It also helps to ensure that students' progress is actually tracked and those who need assistance will not be left behind. This video can provide a more in-depth explanation of the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0--2nhsDorg -
The Every Student Succeeds Act replaced the Elementary and Secondary education Act from 50 years before. It was signed by President Obama in 2015. Among other things, this act requires for the first time that schools in America must teach their students to a high standard to prepare them for college and beyond. More information on the act can be found at https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn