Special Education Timeline

  • First School of Special Education

    First School of Special Education
    America Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Dead and Dumb was the name of the first special education institution to operate in Hartford, Connecticut. In the initial year of operation, this institution enrolled just seven pupils. In this usage, the term "dumb" means "unable to speak." In addition, the school taught geography, history, writing, algebra, and the bible.
  • First Public Special Education Class

    First Public Special Education Class
    During this year in the special education world, a huge event happened. The first public special education class began and it was the start of people realizing that special education is important. In Rhode Island, they opened the first public special education class in the U.S.
  • First special education classes in Florida

    First special education classes in Florida
    In Jacksonville, Florida the first special education class opened up in 1926. Since then, specially designed instruction and related services have expanded throughout Florida. Now, 360,000 students identified as having a disability are enrolled in Florida’s special education system.
  • The Arc

    The Arc
    The Arc was established by a group of parents expressing concerns about education for children with special needs. The Arc has supported families and children by providing a voice for the families to advocate through federal legislation. There are many states currently that still use this resource.
  • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

    Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
    The ESEA was passed by the 89th United States Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1965. This act provided federal funding to primary and secondary education, with funds approved for professional development. This act also made sure to take care of impoverished families.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4okt6u6OEkg
  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973

    Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    This is an act that was put in place in 1973 specifically for people with disabilities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal for federal agencies and public institutions to discriminate against people with disabilities. They provide services such as employment, independent living, and post-secondary education.
  • Education for Handicapped Children Act

    Education for Handicapped Children Act
    This act gave all children with disabilities free, appropriate, public education in the least restrictive environment. This act required all public schools to accept federal funds to provide equal opportunity for children with disabilities to get an education.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=uhHPTFBvmCg
  • Assistive Technology Act

    Assistive Technology Act
    The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with disabilities act was first passed in 1988. It was designed to make a change and support these individuals with provided assistive technology through state efforts and national initiatives. The 1998 law reaffirmed that technology is a valuable tool that can be used to improve the lives of Americans with disabilities.
  • Start of ADA and IDEA

    Start of ADA and IDEA
    The ADA was intended to prohibit discrimination based on disability in employment, services rendered by state and local governments, places of public accommodation, transportation, and telecommunications services. The IDEA emphasized the inclusion of children with disabilities into regular classes and focused on the rights of parents to be involved in the education decisions that affect their children.
  • No Child Left Behind Act

    No Child Left Behind Act
    The No Child Left Behind Act was started and authorized by the U.S. Congress and simultaneously reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It applied Title 1 provisions as well to disadvantaged students. It supported standards-based education reform based on the premise that setting high standards and establishing measurable goals that could improve individuals in their education. The Act required states to develop assessments in basic skills.
  • Florida Requirements for secondary ed

    Florida Requirements for secondary ed
    Section 1004.015 of the Florida Statutes was amended to change the requirements for post-secondary education for people with intellectual disabilities. This allowed for reasonable substitutions for entry requirements, admission to a program of study, and graduation requirements, just like other students with disabilities are currently provided.