History of Special Education and Inclusive Education Timeline

American School of Deaf

Apr 15, 1817

The first school for all disabled children in the Western Hemisphere. Located in the Hartford, Connecticut. Was first named the "Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons". The school first opened with 7 students in total.

Classification of Autism

1943

Leo Kanner an Austrian-American psychiatrist and physician first described autism. He said it was, about children with “extreme autistic aloneness,” “delayed echolalia” and an “anxiously obsessive desire for the maintenance of sameness.” He said that the children were intelligent and some had an amazing memory.

NARC was formed

Oct 20, 1950

October 20, 1950 National Association for Retarded Citizens (NARC). On this day the NARC association was formed. It had over 200,000 members and helped with litigation making sure all parts of the judicial process were met.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Sep 26, 1973

This act guaranteed civil rights to all disabled people and required accommodations for disabled students in schools. This act also forbids organizations and employers from excluding individuals with disabilities opportunities to receive program benefits and services. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00KVLYcmBOw

Education for all Handicapped Children Act

1975

This act guaranteed the right of children with disabilities to receive a free, appropriate education. Federal Funds also, provide access to to one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities

IDEA

Oct 30, 1990

The individuals with disabilities Education Act signed into law by George W. Bush. This law includes 6 categories: FAPE, LRE, IEP, evaluation, parent/student participation, and all procedural safeguards for participants. IDEA emphasized the use of individual education plans, or IEPs, for all special education students.

No Child Left behind act

Jan 8, 2002

Signed into action by President George W. Bush, this law brought test based accountability to all students around the U.S. This law required schools to test students from 3-12th grade. This act has since ended.

IDEA Reauthorized

Dec 3, 2004

President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, a major reauthorization and revision of IDEA. The new law preserves the basic structure and civil rights guarantees of IDEA but also makes significant changes in the law. The requirements regarding “highly qualified” special education teachers became effective immediately upon signature. https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/ideareathztn.asp