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Perkins School for the Blind
It was established in Boston, the first school in the U.S. dedicated to educating individuals with visual impairments. The school is renowned for its innovative approaches and provides training and resources to educators, supporting inclusive education worldwide. Perkins offers comprehensive services, including a wide range of educational programs for students with visual impairments, as well as those with additional disabilities such as deafblindness and CHARGE syndrome. -
American Association on Mental Deficiency
The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), was founded to promote understanding and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They offer resources, training, and support for professionals, researchers, educators, and policymakers in the field. -
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is an organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. The organization offers a wide range of professional development opportunities and advocates policies and practices that support the needs of children with disabilities and their families. Timetoast -
Brown v. Board of Education
This Supreme Court case declared that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, paving the way for inclusive education and playing a crucial role in the civil rights movement.
The Supreme Court issued a unanimous 9-0 decision declaring that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal" and thus unconstitutional and mandated the desegregation of public schools across the United States. -
Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)
This act prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance. It states that no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This applies to all programs and activities conducted by federal agencies. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA)
Also known as Public Law 94-142, was designed to ensure that all children with disabilities had access to a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). It Guaranteed a free, appropriate public education for all children with disabilities and provided federal funding to support special education programs -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
This Legislation replaced EHA and emphasized individualized education programs (IEPs) and the least restrictive environment (LRE) for students with disabilities. It ensures students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). IDEA aims to provide children with disabilities the same educational opportunities as their non-disabled peers. It emphasizes special education and related services tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
This legislation was significant in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). NCLB aimed to close the achievement gap by holding schools accountable for the academic performance of all students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The law required annual standardized testing in reading and math for students in grades 3-8 and once in high school. Schools had to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) benchmarks based on these test scores. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
This legislation replaced the NCLB Act of 2002, with provisions to ensure that students with disabilities are held to high academic standards and receive the support they need to succeed. It addresses many prescriptive requirements that have become unworkable for schools and educators.
ESSA gives states more authority to set their own educational standards and accountability systems, while still maintaining federal oversight to ensure equity. -
Launch of the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER)
The National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) was established as part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to focus on research improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities. It supports a program of research expanding knowledge and understanding of children and youth with or at risk for disabilities, from infancy through postsecondary education, funding high-quality research that addresses the challenges facing special education and provides solutions.