History of Special Education and Inclusive Education

American School for the Deaf

1817

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet opened the first special education school in Hartford, CT now renamed the American School for the Deaf. It is believed Mr. Gallaudet’s need to provide education to children with disabilities is the early beginnings of special educational programs for students with disabilities. During that era, children with disabilities were often placed in asylum, his programs provided education to the children with special needs.
https://www.asd-1817.org

compulsory education for children

1840

Rhode Island compulsory education for children made sure students attended school. This in turn caused change and many children with disabilities were taken out of institutions and into public schools. Compulsory education wasn't fully implemented until 1918.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954

This court case stopped racial and gender segregation in schools. In turn, it included children with disabilities. Therefore, laying the ground work for inclusive classrooms.

Dept. of Public Welfare versus Haas

1958

Supreme Court of Illinois maintained that the state's compulsory education laws do not benefit children with disabilities. They felt these children would not benefit from quality education. This was as step back for students trying to get free public education.

PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

1971

Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania "challenged the constitutionality of excluding individuals with mental disabilities from public education" (Vaughn et al., 2018).

Mills v. Board of Education

1972

Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia came about because handicapped children were being excluded from public schools. This ruling mandated schools to illustrate curriculum, objectives, appropriate teacher qualifications, and provide families with supplemental services. This format will pave the way for Education of Handicap Act.

Education of the Handicapped Act

1975

This act mandated all children, no matter their disability, receive free and appropriate public education. Students with special needs would be provided with a special education. This improved their educational environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66g6TbJbs2g

Education of the Handicapped Acts Amendments

1986

Education of the Handicapped Acts mandates each state to broaden free and appropriate education to disabled children from ages 3 to 5. It provides early intervention programs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj2dBLi7zvQ

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

1990

P.L. 94-142 was changed from EAHCA to IDEA. The amendment laid emphasis that all disabled children receive an appropriate education via special education programs and supplemental related services. Autistic children would benefit from the law. Students nearing 16 would now implement a transitional IEP. https://sites.ed.gov/idea/

IDEIA

2004

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act guarantees all disabled children are provided with free public education with emphasis on special education and supplemental services to help meet their needs. It prepares them for extended education, employment, and independent living. It increases federal funds to provide early intervention services that extend throughout the child's life into adulthood.