History of Special Education and Inclusive Education

By karol215
  • First American School for the Deaf

    First American School for the Deaf

    Founded in Hartford, Connecticut by Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc, the American School for the Deaf was the first permanent educational institution for students with disabilities in the U.S. It introduced ASL and formalized American deaf education. This milestone marks the institutional beginnings of special education in the nation.

  • Gallaudet University Established

    In 1864, President Lincoln signed the charter establishing Gallaudet University in D.C., the first college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Its creation opened higher-education doors and signified expanding access beyond K–12. Today, it remains a vital institution for deaf culture and education.

  • First Public Special Education Class

    Providence, Rhode Island, opened the first U.S. public school class specifically for students with disabilities. Though segregated, it signaled early recognition that public education should extend to all children, paving the way for future inclusion efforts.

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    This landmark Supreme Court decision declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. While focused on race, it established legal precedent for educational equality and helped set a foundation for disability inclusion mandates in later cases.

  • PARC v. Pennsylvania

    The Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens sued the state for denying mental-disability students access to public education. The resulting consent decree guaranteed their right to education, five decades before IDEA. This case is a cornerstone of inclusion rights.
  • Mills v. Board of Education of D.C.

    Mills v. Board of Education of D.C.

    The court ruled that D.C. must provide public education to children with disabilities regardless of cost. It emphasized that financial limitations cannot justify exclusion, reinforcing the rights-based approach to special education.

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

    U.S. Department of Education As part of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 504 prohibited disability discrimination in federally funded programs, including schools. This civil-rights legislation mandated accessibility and accommodations, a precursor to inclusive schooling beyond special ed.
  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)

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    Public Law 94-142 guaranteed free appropriate public education (FAPE) for all students with disabilities. It introduced Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and the mandate for Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), transforming special education. It laid the statutory foundation for modern inclusive practices.

  • Section 504 Sit-In

    Disability activists, led by Judith Heumann and Kitty Cone, occupied HEW offices in San Francisco (and D.C.) in a 25-day sit-in, demanding implementation of Section 504 regulations. It’s the longest federal building protest and pivotal in disability rights enforcement.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    IDEA reauthorized and renamed EHA, expanded disability categories (autism, TBI), and required transition planning. It reinforced inclusion and extended protections, continuing the evolution toward equitable education.