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American School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf, founded in Hartford, Connecticut, was the first school for deaf children in the United States. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet inspired by the work of the school for the deaf in Paris, France enlisted Laurent Clerc, a talented deaf teacher to join him in a historic journey to establish the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States. The school remains active to this day. https://www.asd-1817.org/about/history--cogswell-heritage-house -
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Organized by a group of educators attending Columbia University, a professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. It has been instrumental in promoting the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Providing resources, training, and advocacy for educators working to include students with disabilities in mainstream educational settings.
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Institute for Research on Exceptional Children
President George A. Stoddard recommended the establishment of the Institute for Research on Exceptional Children for research on physically and mentally handicapped children; the study of coordinating public welfare services, the study of gifted children and offering advanced programs of study. Professor Samuel A. Kirk was the driving force behind the research institute and was the director from 1952 to 1968. -
Samuel Kirk
In 1963, in an education conference, Professor Kirk delivered his famous ‘learning disabilities’ speech. He was later appointed by President John F. Kennedy to the post of Director of the Office of Education’s Division of Handicapped Children for 1963 and 1964. During this time, he convinced the government to provide money to train teachers of students with learning disabilities. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was enacted by the United States Congress in 1975 by President Gerald Ford. This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. It also established the right to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Xzvafi-Pg -
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Founded by Carrie and Pete Rozelle, NCLD is an organization that provides leadership, public awareness, and grants to support research and innovative practices in learning disabilities. It focuses on early screening programs (about three hundred fifty thousand children were tested in 2006); informing parents on how to deal with school systems, and promoting public policies connected with the rights of the learning disabled.
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The Handicapped Children's Protection Act
Proposed by Representative Pat Williams and passed by Congress, this act extended protection to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, ensuring early intervention services. It authorized the award of reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses, and costs to the parents or guardian of a handicapped child or youth who is the prevailing party in a civil suit under such Act to protect the child's right to a free appropriate public education. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and public and private places that are open to the general public. Michael Marge, NCD's consultant attorney Robert Burgdorf drafted the first version of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It called for a comprehensive law to provide full opportunities for persons with disabilities in the United States. https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/ -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments
The IDEA was reauthorized to emphasize the importance of access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities and the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports. Amendments mandated that schools report progress to parents of children with disabilities as frequently as they report to parents of non-disabled children. The intent was to maintain an equal and respectful partnership between schools and families.
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No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NCLB required states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students, including those with disabilities. The Act was established under President George W. Bush, it mandated standards-based education reform based on the premise that setting high standards and establishing measurable goals could improve individual outcomes in education. To receive federal school funding, states had to create and give assessments to all students at select grade levels. -
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
Founded by Dr. Roger Pierangelo and Dr. George Giuliani,
NASET promotes the inclusion of students with disabilities in less restrictive learning environments by providing resources and support for educators to effectively integrate these students into general education classrooms. NASET also advocates for policies and practices that facilitate the implementation of inclusive education practices, aligning with the movement towards mainstreaming students with disabilities.
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)
The IDEIA reauthorized and updated the IDEA, emphasizing the importance of aligning IEPs with state academic content standards, promoting access to the general education curriculum, and ensuring that students with disabilities have the supports they need to succeed. It established a new requirement calling for a “summary of academic and functional performance” to be given to every student who exits special education by graduating with a regular diploma. -
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
ESSA replaced No Child Left Behind and continued to emphasize the importance of accountability, flexibility, and choice, while also supporting the unique needs of students, including those with disabilities. Under ESSA, each state creates an education plan for its schools within a framework provided by the federal government. The law gives parents and caregivers a chance to weigh in on these plans. ESSA also provides funding for literacy programs and other grants.