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Rev. Thomas Gallaudet 1817
In the early 19th century special education became more talked about. One of the first people to take action in providing education for individuals with disabilities was Thomas Gallaudet. Gallaudet implemented the first school for deaf people in 1817 which was called The American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, but is now referred to as The American School for the Deaf. -
Establishment of Council for Exceptional Children
This council formed in the United States to aim to advance education for children with disabilities and exceptionalities. This organization advocated for the rights and needs for these children. The organization promoted research and provided professional development opportunities. -
Brown V. Board of Education
The Supreme Court found that all children no matter their race had the right to equal education opportunities. After this decision, parents of children with disabilities were inspired to fight for their children's rights as well. They began to bring lawsuits against their school districts for exclusion and segregation of their children with disabilities. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Public Law 89-10 was placed to strengthen and improve educational quality and opportunities in our nations elementary and secondary schools. This act provided states with direct grant assistance. The grant's assistance purpose was to help nourish the education of children with disabilities and low income families. -
PARC 1972
Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children V. Common wealth of Pennsylvania dealt with the exclusion of children with mental retardation from public schools. In the settlement, it was agreed that educational placement decisions must include parental participation. The court ruled that the state could not deny any individuals right to equal right of education based on intellectual or disability status. -
Least Restrictive Environment LRE
The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was included in the law since 1975. The Principle emphasizes that students with disabilities should be educated along with their typical developing peers. This principle stands for inclusivity and promotes social interaction between all students no matter the exceptionality.
[LeastRestrictiveEnvironment][https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7571/urlt/0086217-y2000-5.pdf] -
Public Law 94-142
President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children or the EHA. EHA guaranteed to each child with disability in every state with free appropriate public education. The purpose is to ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate all children with disabilities and assure the children's and parents rights -
504 of Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was extended for students with disabilities in public schools. This mandate extension required public schools to ensure equal access to education for children with disabilities. Public schools are to provide appropriate accommodations and services to students with exceptionalities. -
Public Law 99-457 of 1986
The 1986 reauthorization program under the Education Of the Handicapped Act addressed early intervention. This mandated that individual states are to provide services to families of children with disabilities from the time that they are born. Prior to this, these services were not available until the child turned the age of three. -
Education Improvement Act of 2004
On December 3rd 2004, the. Individuals With Disabilities Act was amended again. In reauthorizing this, congress put the focus on accountability in upholding standards, and ensuring that special education teachers are highly qualified. This is also to ensure education programs are to emphasize reading, early intervention, and research based instruction.