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Jan 1, 1440
Invention of the Printing Press
German inventor, Johannes Gutenberg, invents a mechanized printing process which allows for the first time mass production of printed books. -
Oct 31, 1517
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformance is sparked by Martin Luther's nailing of his Nintey-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Saxony. One of major outcomes of the Reformation is the spread of literacy. As part of his reform work Martin Luther translates the Bible into German and uses the Gutenberg printing press to widely distribute it and other religious books and pamphlets. -
Massachusetts Education Law of 1642
The Massachusetts Education Law of 1642 is the first step down the road to compulsory education in the United States. It requires that parents or masters of children ensure that the children know the principles of the community's religious and civil rules. To meet this requirement all children must demonstrate a basic level of writing and reading competency. No formal schools as we know them exist. Education is the responsibility of the family and workplace. -
Old Deluder Satan Act
The Old Deluder Satan Act is enacted to address parental negligence in meeting the 1642 children literary requirements The law requires that towns of fifty families hire a schoolmaster to teach the children to read and write. Towns of a 100 families must establish a grammar school to prepare children to attend Harvard College. Harvard's mission is to prepare young men for the ministry. This is the first point in American history that formal schooling becomes a community priority. -
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Curative Geography and the Insitutional State
The French Enlightment movement in France provokes the first special education programs in the United States. This movement established therapeutic institutions for the education of children with special needs. The goal was to "improve" people through education and moral treatment. The environment or place in which this education was provided was tantamount for this approach. "Control the setting and you can control the mind." -
Horace Mann
Credited as the "Father of the Common School Movement". As secretary of the board of education in Massachusetts advocated for a public education system that is funded and controlled by an "interested public", that embraces children from all backgrounds, is non-sectarian, and uses only professional, well-trained teachers. -
First Compulsory School Law
The state of Massachusetts adopts the Prussian model of compulsory education. This law required every town to create and operate a grammar school. Fines were imposed upon parents who did not send their children to school. -
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Therapeutic Education and Professionalism - The Progressive Era
The Progressive Era moves special education from centralized institutions into the public school system. Along with this new school agenda it creates a new array of helping professions: special educators, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. These new professions evolve out of an attempt to apply scientific methods to social problems. This is a time of industrialization, immigration and social stratification. Immigrants and minorities become overrepresented in spec ed classes. -
The Committee of Ten
This committee is formed by the National Education Association to propose a plan to standardize American high school curriculum. The committee was comprised mostly of educators from higher education.
The committee recommended that children be educated for twelve years - 8 years of elementary education and 4 years of high school education. All students would undergo these twelve years of education regardless of their future education or career plans. -
All States enact Compulsory Education Laws
By 1929 all states have enacted compulsory education laws; Alaska is the last to pass a law in 1929. However, the state laws differ as to when children must start and when they can leave school. The ages range from 5-8 for the mandatory starting of school and range from 16 to 18 for when children can legally leave school. -
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Bureaucratizing Disability through Programmatic Regimentation
The disability rights movement emerges and dramatic changes occur for people with disabilities. Children with disabilities and their parents are empowered by the Individuals with Disabilities Act which requires by law that students being educated in the least restrictive environment possible. This era establishes special education as a fully elaborated profession. An Individualized Education Plan is required for all special education students. Emphasis on Individual rather than wholistic plan. -
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner's book Frames of the Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposes that intelligence can be measured by multiple human abilities not just one, traditionally defined cognitive ability. Gardner measures eight different intelligence measures: Logical-mathematical, spatial, linguistic, kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and existential. The theory proposes that people learn differently and that should be factored into education programs. -
Individuals with Disabilites Education Act
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) schools must provide every child with all the services and accommodations necessary for them to receive a meaningful education in the least restrictive environment possible. Children between the ages of 3 and 21 with physical, emotional, learning or cognitive disabilities are entitled to what is called “special education.” These special needs are documented in an individualized education plan (IEP). -
Differentiated Instruction
Carol Ann Tomlinson publishes her book, The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners. In it Tomlinson explains that differentiated instruction tailors instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. It's goal is to create the best learning experience possible by adjusting the content, process, product, or environment in which curriculum is being taught. -
No Child Left Behiind Act
No Child Left Behind Act requires all public schools receiving federal funding to administer a state-wide standardized test to all students annually. This mandate includes students with special educational needs. Schools must set and meet yearly improvement goals to continue to receive Title I funding. The improvement goals must include having all students meet testing objectives at grade level by the end of the 2013-2014 school year. Goal of the law is to hold schools accountable.
