-
First School for the Deaf in the US
4/15/1817 - The first School for the Deaf in the United States opened in Connecticut and was founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc. Gallaudet became interested in the education of a deaf child, Alice Cogswell. He went to study different educational methods in Europe and after a few attempts at several different schools, he found sign language. Gallaudet studied French sign language and then brought Laurent Clerc back to the United States with him in 1816. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools violated the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. The decision declared that separate educational facilities for white and African Americans students were inherently unequal. This decision strictly applied only to public schools, but it was implied that segregation was not permitted in other public facilities. This ruling helped inspire the American civil rights movement of the late 1950s and ’60s. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
4/11/1965 - The ESEA provides federal funding to primary and secondary education, with funds authorized for professional development, instructional materials, resources to support educational programs, and parental involvement promotion. The act emphasizes equal access to education, aiming to shorten the achievement gaps between students by providing federal funding to support schools with children from impoverished families. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
9/26/1973 - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. This law applies to public elementary and secondary schools, among other entities. Section 504 covers "any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." If an organization receives federal support of any kind, even if the organization is not a federal or state organization, the organization must comply with Section 504. -
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
11/29/1975 - This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. Passed to help ensure special education services are provided to all children who need them, makes sure that all students services are fair and appropriate, and provides federal funds to all students with disabilities to have an education. -
Honig vs. Doe
1/20/1988 - Case in Which the US Supreme Court ruled that a California school board had violated the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. This ruling benefited individuals with emotional and or behavior disorders who have academic and social problems. Ruled that schools could not expel children or behaviors related to their disability.
https://prezi.com/owdeowlqxnyq/honig-v-doe/ -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
7/26/1990 - The ADA is a civil rights legislation that works to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment. Protects equal opportunity to employment and public services, accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.
https://adata.org/learn-about-ada -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
10/30/1990 - Rename and replaces EAHCA. Legislation designed to ensure that all children with disabilities receive an appropriate education through special education and related services. It's core principles are: Zero Reject, Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), Nondiscriminatory Evaluations, Parent & Family Rights to Confidentiality, and Procedural Safeguards. -
No Child Left Behind Act
1/08/2002 - The NCLB was enacted to provide framework on how to improve the performance of America's elementary and secondary schools while at the same time ensuring that no child is trapped in a failing school. NCLB covers a wide range of areas, for improving teacher quality and supporting instruction for English language learners (ELLs) to efforts to keep schools safe and drug free. -
Every Student Succeeds Act
12/10/2015 - Signed by President Obama as a commitment to equal opportunity for all students. ESSA replaces No Child Left Behind Act. ESSA includes many of the components of NCLB but provides additional opportunities for schools when students are not making adequate progress.
https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/the-every-student-succeeds-act-explained/2015/12