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Special Ed. Timeline
A history of Special Education -
First school for special needs students
The first American school to provide a unique education specifically designed to address students with special needs. It opened in Hartford, Connecticut and was a private school for deaf children. It had many athletic programs, which mostly consisted of sport-related activities like soccer and volleyball. This school was one of the first organizations to effectively use sign language to teach deaf people. -
First School for the Blind
Perkins School For the Blind was the first school dedicated to the education of blind students. It was responsible for revolutionary breakthroughs that are taken for granted today when it comes to teaching the blind. For example, it was the first public organization to effectively use Braille for instruction as well as the first to create entire classrooms specifically designed to meet the learning needs of blind students. It pioneered many teaching strategies that are still in use today. -
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Founded in 1876 and still very much relevant to this day, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is a non-profit organization and was the first public group devoted to helping children with disabilities learn. It paved the way for many organizations to come by doing research about those with special needs and publishing the results. -
Association for children w/ Learning Disabilities
Formed after Brown Vs. Board, this organization was a very influential public advocacy group created to advance educational opportunities for students with learning disabilities. It consisted of concerned parents of disabled children and they decided to form the organization after attending a national conference about education in Chicago. -
Education for all Handicapped Children Act
The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) was a bill signed into law by President Gerald Ford. It ensured that children with disabilities were granted access to a free and appropriate public education. This law provided local and statewide assistance and protection to all students with disabilities. Public schools received additional funding to meet the standards expected with the passage of the act. -
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
A program of the United States Department of Education designed to better manage and improve education and employment policies for people with disabilities.The organization strives to achieve full integration and participation in society of people with disabilities by ensuring equal opportunity and access to education, employment and community living. -
International Association of Special Education
Organization established to advance the needs of children with disabilities throughout the world. Conducts important research about the educational performance of students with disabilities and shares them with schools and governments across the globe. -
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Signed into law by George H. W. Bush, this act provided all students with disabilities between the ages of three and 21 access to an appropriate and free public education. It mandated the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each child with disabilities and aimed for students to be taught in a "least restrictive environment." This environment is ideally in a general education classroom.
LEARN MORE BY WATCHING VIDEO BELOW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66g6TbJbs2g -
No Child Left Behind
Signed into law by George W. Bush, this bill imposed standards and testing on all students and provided additional funding to schools based on their performance. The bill included benefits for special needs students, but also raised expectations of them. It encouraged special needs students to be "transitioned" into general education classrooms if certain standards are met. LEARN MORE BELOW
https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-behind-overview-definition-summary.html -
Assistive Technology Act
Designed to address the technology needs of all students with disabilities. Its purpose was to help students with special needs understand and utilize technology as well as explore ways to use technology to supplement their education.
