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Formally known as the, American Asylum for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, the American School for the Deaf was the first Special education school in the US. It was established by Thomas Hopkins Gaulladet, who traveled to Europe to learn French Deaf Education concepts at the French Institute for the Deaf. This link discusses Gaulladet and other founders of the American School for the Deaf.
https://onlineexhibits.library.yale.edu/s/deaf-culture/page/asd -
Rhode Island was the first to mandate compulsory education, however, by 1918, all states required children to receive formal education. Due to this, many children with disabilities were transitioned into public schools. This led to more special education classes being introduced into public schools. -
In 1922 the Council for Exceptional Children was organized. The counsel was and still is dedicated to establishing professional standards, advocating for the rights of children with disabilities, and providing professional development and resources for educators. This was one of many communities and organizations that sparked change on a local level that led to improvements in special education. -
The Bradley Home was the first psychiatric hospital for children in the United States and was established in Rhode Island. At this time, most hospitals practiced psychodynamic treatment. This concept focuses on the unconscious mind, feelings, and emotions that influence human behavior. Psychodynamic ideas fanned interest in the diagnosis and classification of disabilities. -
In the late 1950s federal money was allocated for educating children with disabilities. This led to additional training for special educators. Thus the federal government became more involved in research towards special education practices and in training special education professionals. This funding and intentionality improved the quality of special education at the time and enabled educators to reach new standards in their work alongside the children they teach. -
The University of Illinois opened the first institution for research on exceptional children. They began to research children who they referred to as "the slower learner". Today we understand this to be a learning disability. -
Signed into law by President General Ford, the EAHCA required free and adequate education for all students with disabilities. Implementing this in school districts was ensuring that children with disabilities were receiving non-discriminatory testing, evaluation, and placement. It's important to note that this act didn't originate on its own, it was a result of many small organizations of parents and educators who set the foundation for the standards of special education in public school. -
Full implementation of the EAHCA mandated that each child who receives special education has an IEP that includes relevant instructional goals and objectives, specifications as to length of school year,most appropriate educational placement, and descriptions of criteria to be used in evaluation and measurement. These are intended to ensure that the childs unique learning needs are met.
Click the link for more information about IEPs: https://youtu.be/1eeIdt8HaaE?si=PPDSuYLLf3JbtHr3 -
In 1982 the case of the Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley found that public schools must provide personalized instruction with sufficient support services to enable the child to benefit educationally. However, they are not required to maximize the child's potential. This painted the picture of how the court system views the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. -
In 1990 the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was amended to include a change to person-first language, replacing the term handicapped student with student with disabilities. Person-first language shifts the focus from being identifying by their disability, but to them as individuals. Conscious shifts in language create a more inclusive classroom setting where children with disabilities are empowered.
More information about Person-first:
https://youtu.be/H4wJ5Jc9rPM?si=qFOto2iY1w0S7cLA