History of Special Education Timeline

By elizabeth1723

  • First American Schools for individuals with disabilities were open

    Schools in the early 1800s were not necessarily inclusive, people with disabilities did not attend because of the discrimination they faced. People with disabilities were mainly sent to asylums and got little to no education.

  • Perkins Institution

    Based in Boston, the institution was the first school for the visually impaired in the United States. Students gained an education in the English language, and it still operates to this day, on a more international level.

  • Columbia Institution

    The goal of the institution was to provide education to deaf, mute, and blind children. Established in the District of Columbia, students from around the country attended. This was the first college institution in the world which provided students with disabilities with a college degree.

  • Beattie v. Board of Education

    Students asked to be included in a general education classroom, however due to their disabilities and their appearance, they were denied attendance. Although mental capacity was not an issue, judgment and refusal were simply passed based on students' appearance.

  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

    The CEC is the first advocacy group for children with disabilities. It is one of the largest special education advocacy groups today and the focus is ensuring children with disabilities receive FAPE.

  • PARC v. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania & Mills v. Board of Education

    Both were seminal class action court cases; states were confronted for not providing an education to students with special needs. Both cases ended with the expansion of providing a free education for students with disabilities.

  • Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    Also known as Title V, it was the first legislation to address the problem of discrimination against people with special needs in America. It created rights for people with disabilities and overall, gave them the support they needed.

  • Reauthorization of the EHA

    Education of the Handicapped Act reauthorization expanded to early intervention services beginning at birth to two years of age, before it only covered children as young as three years old. Now it is known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

  • The Honig v. Doe Case

    This case addressed the expulsion of students with behavioral challenges. Schools were not allowed to expel a student based on a behavior related to their disability. Anything longer than 10 days without the reconvince of the IEP team would be seen as a denial of FAPE.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)

    Changed from previous name to a “people-first” language, IDEA added a transition plan to all students with an IEP goal at the age of 16 as well as two distinct categories of disabilities: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Autism. The use of assistive technology was also added on.

  • Reauthorization in 1997

    The focus was on a more inclusive education for students with disabilities, the provision of IEPs to fit this goal was introduced. One outcome was the involvement of general education teachers if a student was placed in a Gen Ed classroom. Behavioral and discipline support were also addressed.

  • Reauthorization in 2004

    IDEA aligned with No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, its focus was on accountability. Special education teachers were also required to be highly qualified.