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American School for the Deaf
On April 15, 1817, Thomas H. Gallaudet opened the Connecticut Asylum for the Education of Deaf and Dumb Persons, which was later renamed the American School for the Deaf. In his new school, with deaf Parisian instructor Laurent Clerc as the headteacher, Gallaudet not only passed on his knowledge and skills but a new form of communication for Americans at the time.
*For more information, see Through Deaf Eyes: The First Permanent School via PBS.com -
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
In January 1971, The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) sued the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for discrimination against children with disabilities. The case moved to court, which ruled that the state was not allowed to deny students with disabilities free public education. For more information, see Link text -
Education of all Handicapped Children's Act & IEP
In 1975, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) program and the Education of all Handicapped Children's Act (EHA) were established. The IEPs would help schools provide extra accommodations to students with exceptionalities. Along with this, the EHA required schools to provide students with free public education, regardless of disability type.
*For more information, see: Numberdyslexia.com IEP History -
Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley (Hudson v. Rowley)
This case altered the definition of free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to include sufficient but not optimal support for special needs students in general education classrooms. The case was made on behalf of Amy Rowley, a deaf 5th-grade student who interacted well with her non-disabled peers, yet did not receive as much support as she could have benefitted from. -
EHA Amendments & Handicapped Children's Protection Act
In 1986, the Education of All Handicapped Children's Act (EHA) was amended to Public Law 99-457 to aid children with special needs in their education. Ronald Reagan also signed the Handicapped Children's Protection Act, which considered parental involvement in the establishment of a child's IEP.
Information from: Numberdyslexia.com IEP History -
Honig v. Doe
Honig vs Doe benefitted students with behavior/emotional disorders and academic problems. It ruled that schools cannot expel students for behavioral issues linked to a disability.
*The case is based on two students identified as Jack Smith and John Doe. For background on the case, see Link text -
Amendment to Public Law 94-142 & IDEA
In 1990, Public Law 94-142 was amended to Public Law 101-476, which was later renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). This act ensures that students with special needs receive a free and appropriate education with any necessary accommodations and services. It also required that students with disabilities learn in the least restrictive environment (LRE) possible alongside their non-disabled peers.
*For more information, see: Numberdyslexia.com IEP History -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbids discrimination against those with disabilities in the private sector. The act also protects equal opportunity to employment and public services, including public schools. It even redefines the term "disabled" to include those with AIDS. -
President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This act required that students with disabilities receive special accommodations. It also required assessment results to be divided into groups based on socioeconomic status, disability, ethnicity, and limited English proficiency (LEP).
For more information, visit Link text -
Amendment to IDEA
In 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was amended to Public Law 106-446. It was then renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). This law emphasized early intervention for children with exceptionalities and increased accountability with assessments of these children.
*For more information, see: Numberdyslexia.com IEP History
