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First American school for the deaf was opened
On April 15, 1817, the first American school for the deaf opened up in Hartford, Connecticut. The founder was Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a Yale graduate who upon graduating, left to Europe to study the art of educating deaf students. There, he met, Laurent Clerc, a teacher for students who were deaf and came back to the United States along with Ms. Clerc to open the school. This school still remains functioning today. American School for the Deaf -
The American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities is formed
What was previously known as the American Association on Mental Retardation was founded by Edouard Seguin, M.D. This was the first organized association to help promote, support, and research, disabilities. -
All States Establish the Compulsory Education Laws
The compulsory law which was introduced in Rhode Island in the year 1840 was now effective in every state. This law required all children to attend a public or private school for a given number of years.
Complusory Education Laws -
Autism is Introduced as a Classification
Through qualitative research, Dr. Leo Kanner founded the term "Autism" in 1943. He began the first psychiatric service for children in a U.S. hospital and noted that the eleven children he was treating had "autistic disturbances of affective contact.". Of the eleven children, eight were boys and three were girls. -
The Brown vs. Board of Education Case
This case eliminated the act of segregation in the schools between white and black students. The parent of the children, Oliver Brown, stated that the racial segregation of the school violated the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.The decision held that racial segregation of children in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Video -
Mills vs. Board of Education of District of Columbia
This case declared that students with disabilities must be given a public education. The case also concluded that educational services/accommodations must be established based on the child's needs, not on the schools’ fiscal capabilities to provide such services. -
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is enacted
Rep. John Brademas introduced section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which to this day, protects all individuals who are physically and/or mentally impaired from discrimination within the workplace and schools. This law ensures that all individuals are entitled to the same educational opportunities and benefits as everyone else. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act is implemented
Currently known as the IDEA law, this act ensured that all students with disabilities were given the right to a free and appropriate education. All necessary services and accomodations would be provided to the student within the child's least restrictive environment (LRE). The law would also ensure that all students with disabilities be provided a tailored individualized education plan (IEP) to help meet their prospective goals. -
The No Child Left Behind Act is enacted
This legislation was proposed by former president, George W. Bush in 2001. The ultimate goal was to help low performing students reach higher academic goals by measuring and altering annual testing, annual academic progress, report cards, teacher qualifications, and funding changes. -
Reauthorization of IDEA law
There are several changes from the IDEA law which was formerly known as Education for All Handicapped Children Act from 1970-1990. Some of the modifications included emphasizing accountability at the state and local levels, as more data on outcomes is required. Another notable change involves school districts providing adequate instruction and intervention for students with disabilities.
