History of Special Education in the US

  • Earliest Special Education

    Earliest evidence of "special education" began in the 1800's for blind and deaf students it was not inclusive to all people with other disabilities. This was predominantly in institutional settings. These were mostly founded on the principle of charity.
  • Special Classes

    During the late 1800's and early 1900's special classes often set up for students who do not speak english, “delinquent”, and “slower” students. These classes separated students from "normal" students and had a focus on moral training and trades and not academics.
  • Compulsory Attendance

    By the 1920's most states had compulsory attendance laws for students but this was not applied to students with disabilities. There was not an emphasis on education for these students or laws protecting them.
  • Brown vs. Board of Education

    The landmark case Brown vs. Board of Education took place. This was so important to desegregating the schooling in American. It was a catalyst for families of children with disabilities to challenge the segregation of special education in classrooms.
  • Congressional Investigation

    In 1972 there was a congressional investigation that found that less than half of the estimated 8 million children with disabilities in the US were receiving an "appropriate" education. 1.75 million were receiving no education at all.
  • Public law 94-14

    The education for all handicap children act was established.
    It established that all children with disabilities have right to education.
    It also established accountability for state and local ed agencies to provide educational services for all children with disabilities.
    It was renamed as the Individuals with Disabilities act in 2004 (stated would give 40 percent of funding to help resource this and only have fulfilled 15 percent of this).
  • NC State won the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament

    NC State won the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, coached by Jim Valvano
  • Taylor Swift was born

    the singing, popstar sensation, Taylor Swift was born
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    The No Child Left Behind Act decided that all students would be proficient in math and reading by 2014 allowing all students to be supported in their learning within the education systems. Many states attempted to get out of the law and falsified records, recording students as proficient although they were not.
  • Star Wars Episode 2

    Star Wars Episode 2 Attack of the clones was released
  • We started Kindergarten

    We started Kindergarten in North Carolina at public school
  • Steve Irwin died :((((((((((

    The heroic crocodile hunter Steve Irwin died of a stingray attack, giving his life to the thing he loved most. Animals.
  • Endrew vs. Douglas County School District

    Endrew F. is an autistic fifth grade student who was placed in private school because his parents believed his public school education was inadequate. Endrew was placed in Firefly Autism House and his parents sued for reimbursement of Endrew’s private school tuition and related expenses pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Act.