History of Special Education and Inclusive Education Timeline

American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb Opens

1817

The American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb opened as the first school for special education in the United States in Hartford, Connecticut. The school was privately funded by wealthy parents who wanted an education for their deaf children. The school was later renamed the American School for the Deaf.

The International Council for the Education Exceptional Children Founded

1922

The International Council for the Education Exceptional Children was created by a group of administrators to further the education of special needs children. They helped push for various legislation and released studies later on for teaching exceptional learners. The organization was later renamed the Council for Exceptional Children. https://exceptionalchildren.org/

Elementary and Secondary Education Act

1965

This was an act passed to support many initiatives to help low-income families access high-quality education programs. It included provisions for free and reduced lunches and additional teachers in disadvantaged communities. It also helped children who needed extra support to benefit from public school education programs.

Vocation Rehabilitation Act

1973

This act prevent any federally, locally, or state funded organization from discriminating against people because of disability. It prohibited discrimination based on disability in public education, as well as in the social and health services as employees. The act also defined the terms handicapped person and appropriate education.

Education for All Handicapped Children Act

1975

This act required states to provide a free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities. It also first defined a least restrictive environment and required individualized education programs. It was also known as the Mainstreaming Law, and was later modified to be the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities Founded

1977

The Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities was founded by Carrie and Pete Rozelle. It aimed to provide leadership, public awareness and research grants for learning disabilities. It was later renamed the National Center for Learning Disabilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfI8t4Uff34

Oberti v. Board of Education

1993

This case was brought on by the family of Rafael Oberti, a student with Down Syndrome, in an attempt to have him included in a general education classroom. It established inclusion with supplementary aids and services because it is “a fundamental value of the right to public education for children with disabilities.” if placement outside of a general education class is needed, the district should include the child in as many school programs with children who do not have disabilities.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

2004

This act allowed districts to use an RTI model to determine if a child has a learning disability, and also got rid of the requirement for a child to have a severe discrepancy between achievement and intellectual ability to qualify. It also increased federal funding for early intervention services to students who do not need special education. The act also increased standards for special education licensure and addressed racial and ethnic bias towards students in special education.