History of Special Education and Inclusive Education Timetoast Timeline

By onitajulien@yahoo.com

  • Opening of the American School for the Deaf (1817)

    Opening of the American School for the Deaf (1817)
    Founded by Thomas Gallaudet, this was the first permanent school for the deaf in the U.S. It set the foundation for special education and the broader inclusion movement.

  • Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

    Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
    While this Supreme Court ruling addressed racial segregation in schools, it also laid the groundwork for inclusive education for students with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of equality in education for all.
    Website: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education

  • Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1971)

    Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children (PARC) v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1971)
    This case guaranteed education for children with intellectual disabilities, establishing a precedent for the least restrictive environment in special education.

  • Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia (1972)

    Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia (1972)
    This case required schools to provide publicly funded education to all children, regardless of disability, affirming the right to an education for those with special needs.

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973)

    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973)
    his law prohibited discrimination based on disability in federally funded programs, including schools, paving the way for inclusion in mainstream classrooms.
    Website:https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/centers-offices/civil-rights-center/statutes/section-504-rehabilitation-act-of-1973

  • Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975)

    Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975)
    This landmark federal legislation guaranteed a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities, ensuring access to special education and related services in the least restrictive environment. It marked a major shift in inclusive education practices. Free and Appropriate Education.
    https://youtu.be/G4Xzvafi-Pg?si=PF8WmiCff4Ijt69Y

  • The Mainstream Movement (1980s)

    The Mainstream Movement (1980s)
    This period marked an increasing emphasis on including students with disabilities in general education classrooms, fostering greater social and academic integration.

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990)

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990)
    ADA was a civil rights law that prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including education. It strengthened protections for accessibility and inclusion in schools.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1990)

    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1990)
    Building on EAHCA, IDEA ensured that students with disabilities receive individualized education plans (IEPs) and expanded support for inclusive practices.

  • Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015)

    Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (2015)
    ESSA replaced No Child Left Behind, focusing on equity and accountability in education. It supported the inclusion of students with disabilities in general classrooms and standardized assessments.