Special Education Timeline

  • American School for the Deaf

    Was the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States .
  • Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb

    Was created to provide an education and teach life skills
  • Plessy vs Ferguson

    " separate but equal" This made it illegal to deny the full and equal enjoyment of any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of any public places
  • Council for Exceptional Children

    First advocacy group for children with disabilities. They also train families and school staff how to appropriately accommodate the students and their needs
  • Classification of Autism

    The diagnosis of Autism was introduced by Dr. Leo Lanner of John Hopkins University. Autism is a spectrum disorder where cases vary in severity.
  • Brown v Board of Education

    Determined that "separate but equal" is not equal. This case not only analyzed race but also analyzed general education students vs students with disabilities. Encouraged districts to form advocacy groups
  • Section 504

    Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs or activities that receive federal funds. Gives protections to students with disabilities.
  • Handicapped Children's Protection Act

    Guaranteed a free and appropriate public education. Gave parents a larger role in creating IEPs for their children
  • No Child Left Behind

    Scaled up the federal role in holding schools accountable for student success. Was created to close the achievement gap because the American education was no longer competitive.
  • IDEA Reauthorized

    Preserved the original IDEA act and expanded the reach of the act. Added Traumatic Brain Injuries and Autism as new disability categories .