The History of Special Education in the U.S.

First Special Education Class

Aug 24, 1896

Credit is usually given to Providence, Rhode Island, for having the first special education class in the U.S. The auxiliary class consisted of 15 students that were labeled as "backwards" or "feebleminded". Other schools soon followed Providence's example in response to rising numbers of students with disabilities.

Council for Exceptional Children

Aug 10, 1922

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) was created by a group of students that were meeting to discuss ways to help students with disabilities. Their main goals were to unite those interested in educational problems of "special children" and to establish professional standards for teachers of these children.

National Association for Retarded Citizens

Sep 28, 1950

The first meeting of this group was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At this meeting a constitution was drawn up with the broad purposes of promoting the welfare of mentally retarded persons and to prevent mental retardation. These goals have remained constant.

First Special Olympics Games

Jul 20, 1968

The first Special Olympics took place at Soldier Field in Chicago. It included events in a variety of sports such as track and field and swimming and diving. This event provided people with intellectual disabilities with an opportunity to be considered athletes. https://www.specialolympics.org

PARC v. Pennsylvania

Oct 15, 1972

The U.S. District Court struck down various state laws used to exclude disabled children from public schools. Advocates cited these decisions during public hearings that led to the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Sep 26, 1973

This was the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the U.S. It prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities that receive federal financial assistance. This law required school districts to provide free and appropriate public educations (FAPE) to students with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one of more life activities.

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest

1976

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXrcDonY-B8 "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest," was one of the first movies in American history to win Academy Awards for best picture, director, actor, actress, and screenplay. It's popularity was influential in exposing the realities of nstitutionalization.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

1990

This act replaced the Education for the Handicapped Act (EHA). IDEA states that children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate education (FAPE) and that each child's education will be planned and monitored with an individualized education plan (IEP).

Americans with Disabilities Act

Jul 26, 1990

This act was signed into law by President George W. Bush. This act states that people with special needs will have the same rights as everyone else. It prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities in schools, the workplace, and public transportation.

IDEA Improvement Act 2004

2004

The purpose of this act was to bring IDEA into alignment with the No Child Left Behind Act. This act required IEP's to be based on scientific findings. It also put the following 6 Principles into effect: Zero Reject, Protection in Evaluation, Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), Procedural Safeguards, and Parental Participation.