History of Special Education

By jazzytierra

  • American School for the Deaf

    American school for the Deaf was originally the American Asylum. It is the oldest school school for the deaf and the first school on the western hemisphere for students with disabilities.

  • Perkins School for the Blind

    Perkins School for the Blind is the oldest school for blind children. It is located in Massachusetts.

  • First public school class for hearing impairment

    First public school class for children with hearing impairment open in Boston.

  • Council for Exceptional Children

    Council for Exceptional Children is the first advocacy group for students with disabilities. Its founder and first president was Elizabeth E. Farrell.

  • Classification of Autism

    Autism was first described as a form of schizophrenia. Dr. Kenner described autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder in children.

  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    Judge ruled that after a student have a proper and thorough evaluation, students with disabilities should be placed in publicly funded educational setting that met their educational needs. This occurred because state funding institutions for students with disabilities where not meeting their educational needs.

  • Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act

    Section 504 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs that receives federal funding from the Department of Education. It requires a school to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to each qualified student regardless of the nature or severity of their disability.

  • Least Restrictive Environment

    Least restrictive environment means that a student with an IEP must be in as many general education classes as possible.

  • Handicapped Children Protection Act

    The Handicapped Children Protection Act provides aid for handicapped children before they start school at the age of 5. It is required to have early intervention programs that are accessible for infants to the age of 5 (school age).

  • IDEA

    Individuals with disabilities education act was passed in 1990. It was formally known as Education for All Handicapped Act. It ensures a free appropriate public education for children with disabilities. It was amended to include children from ages infant to 3 years old to receive early in early intervention. One of the difference between 504 Act and IDEA Act is the IDEA is more tailored to the needs to the student.