Special Education Timeline

  • Civil Rights Act of 1866

    The Civil Rights Act of 1866 affirmed that all citizens were meant to be protected by law. It was mainly intended to protect the civil rights of African Americans but later inspired people to fight for those with disabilities as well. (Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1866#:~:text=The%20Civil%20Rights%20Act%20of,United%20States%20Congress%20and%20the)
  • Plessy v. Ferguson

    Plessy v. Ferguson was a big decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This case later affected education for children with disabilities because it inspired many people to fight for equal treatment.
  • Titanic Sinking

    The RMS Titanic sunk into the North Atlantic Ocean four days after departing from Southampton.
  • World War II

    World War II started on this date
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    This court case fought for the desegregation of all public schools in the United States. The Supreme Court's decision led to a movement in which people felt strongly about securing the rights of students with disabilities to a public education. Source: (https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka)
  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia

    This lawsuit was filed against the District of Columbia in the United States. It affirmed the right of children with disabilities to a free education.
  • Public Law No. 94-142

    This law guaranteed a free and appropriate public education to every child with a disability. The purpose of this law was to improve access to education for all children with disabilities. Source: (https://educationonline.ku.edu/community/idea-timeline#:~:text=November%2029%2C%201975%3A%20President%20Gerald,as%20Public%20Law%2094%2D142.)
  • The Rowley Decision

    The Rowley Decision was a legal case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that schools must provide IDEA eligible students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). It was one of the first cases of its time that had the Supreme Court ruling on the requirement of public schools to provide an appropriate education to students with disabilities.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

    This act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. People with disabilities cannot be discriminated against in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, etc. Source: (https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-overview)
  • Jurassic Park Release

    Jurassic Park was released into theaters for the first time
  • "...Baby One More Time" Release

    Britney Spears released her iconic song "...Baby One More Time"
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    The No Child Left Behind Act was a U.S. Act that included provisions applying to students who were at a disadvantage. Under this 2002 law, states are required to test students in reading and math in grades 3-8 and once in high school. Source: (https://www.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/grants-grant-management/every-student-succeeds-act-essa-implementation/elementary-and-secondary-education-act-esea/no-child-left-behind-act-2001#:~:text=The%20No%20Child%20Left%20Behind,and%20once%20in%20high%20school.)
  • Michael Jackson passed away

    Michael Jackson died on this day