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This school was founded on April 15, 1817, in Hartford, Connecticut. It was the first permanent school for any deaf student in the United States of America. The creators of the school wanted to provide an education for the children, so they studied methods of death education in Europe, and when they returned to America, they helped establish the school. Its founding marked a major milestone in both education and social change because these individuals were able to be in an educational setting. -
In 1896, in Rhode Island the history was made because the first SPED class in the United States was instituted. This was the first time that students with learning disabilities were able to experience education within public school settings, rather than being excluded. This laid the groundwork for future expansion of recognition that all children deserve access to education, no matter the circumstances they are in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23Jes6PHzkk -
During the 1950s in the United States, there was racial segregation in public schools. This case was pivotal for American public schools. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that having separate educational facilities for students based on their race is unequal. So this, and then segregation in schools and paved the way for integration across the US. -
This was a critical case in US history that took place in 1972. This event laid out that public schools in Washington, DC, are not able to deny children with disabilities access to education just because there's a lack of funding. This decision became important for special education law, which guaranteed educational rights for millions of children across the country. -
On September 26, 1973, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was a landmark in civil rights laws. It protected people with disabilities from discrimination in any sort of program/activity that received any federal financial assistance. This also ensured that they had equal access to services. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/civil-rights-center/statutes/section-504-rehabilitation-act-of-1973 -
This was a law signed on November 29, 1975, which required schools to provide IEP, which stands for individualized education programs. The program was to ensure that students with disability had access to education alongside their peers at any time. This was important because children with disabilities were still being denied access to public education. -
In the year 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act became a federal law. This law ensured that all children with disabilities would receive free and appropriate public education. This law also replaced and reauthorized the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. It truly emphasizes the safeguards, parent participation, and early intervention services to children with disabilities. -
This documentary, known as "Educating Peter" was published in 1992 by PBS. It followed a boy named Peter, who had Down syndrome, who attended a public school in the suburbs of Virginia. This film highlighted the challenges, but also the successes, of a student with disabilities and a regular classroom. It just truly showed the real-life challenges that a student faces, but it made people aware, so it was very remarkable. -
In 1997, amendments were set to strengthen inclusion because they required general education teachers to participate in IEP teams. And instead of students with disabilities being in separate classrooms, schools provide support in order for all students to be together. Schools are also provided with special instruction and modifications to help students succeed academically, but socially too. -
Date of December 10, 2015, ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. This act that was placed more control over education, standards, and accountability from the federal government to the state. It emphasized Edwin, but also supported disadvantaged students. It was a milestone because of approaching school success test scores.