400 YEARS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION EDU 203

Mareli Castañeda
JACOB RODRIGUES PEREIRE
1715-1780

“ Introduced the idea that persons who were

deaf could be taught to communicate. Developed
an early form of sign language. Provided
inspiration and encouragement for the work of
Itard and Seguin.” (Gargiulo 2015)
PHILIPPE PINEL
1745-1826
“A reform-minded French physician who was
concerned with the humanitarian treatment of
individuals with mental illness. Advocated
releasing institutionalized patients from their
chains. Pioneered the field of occupational
therapy. Served as Itard’s mentor.” (Gargiulo
2015)
JEAN-MARC GASPARD ITARD
1774-1838
“ A French doctor who secured lasting fame
because of his systematic efforts to educate an
adolescent thought to have a severe
intellectual disability. Recognized the
importance of sensory stimulation.” (Gargiulo
2015)
THOMAS HOPKINS GALLAUDET
1787-1851
“Taught children with hearing impairments to
communicate through a system of manual signs and
symbols. Established the first institution for
individuals with hearing impairments in the United
States.” (Gargiulo 2015)
SAMUEL GRIDLEY HOWE
1801-1876
“An American physician and educator accorded
international fame because of his success in teaching
individuals with visual and hearing impairments.
Founded the first residential facility for individuals
who are blind and was instrumental inaugurating
institutional care for children with intellectual
disability.” (Gargiulo 2015)
DOROTHEA LYNDE DIX
1802-1887
“A contemporary of S.G. Howe, Dix was one of
the first Americans to champion better and more
humane treatment of individuals who are
mentally ill. Instigated the establishment of
several institutions for individuals with mental
disorders.” (Gargiulo 2015)
 LOUIS BRAILLE
1809-1852
“ A French educator, himself blind, who
developed a tactile system of reading and
writing for people who were blind. His system,
based on a cell of six embossed dots is still used
today. This standardized code is known as
Standard English Braille.” (Gargiulo 2015)
 EDOUARD SEGUIN
1812-1880
“A pupil of Itard, Seguin was a French physician responsible
for developing teaching methods for children with intellectual
disability. His training emphasized sensorimotor activities.
After immigrating to the United States, he helped to found an
organization that was the forerunner of the American
Association on Intellectual and Development Disabilities.”
(Gargiulo 2015)
FRANCIS GALTON
1822-1911

“ A scientist concerned with individual

differences. As a result of studying eminent
persons, he believed that genius is solely the
result of heredity. Those with superior abilities
are born, not made.” (Gargiulo 2015)
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
1847-1922
“ A pioneering advocate of educating children
with disabilities in public schools. As a teacher of
students with hearing impairments, Bell promoted
the use of residual hearing and developing the
speaking skills of students who are deaf.”
(Gargiulo 2015)
MARGARET BANCROFT
1854-1912
“Bancroft’s intelligence, imagination, and dedication to her students set her
apart as an extraordinary educator. At the age of 25, she embarked on
a courageous and lonely endeavor by opening the first private boarding
school in Haddonfield, New Jersey, for children with developmental
delays. She believed that disabled children needed special schools,
adapted material, and well trained teachers rather than to be sent to
institutions. Bancroft’s students responded to her love and patience and
individually-tailored instruction. Under her influence, the medical
profession began to awaken to their responsibility to help correct defects
and disabilities in children. Admirers of her skill came to train and later
became leaders in the field of special education.” (Leech, 2009)
 ALFRED BINET
1857-1911
“ A French psychologist who constructed the first
standardized development assessment scale capable of
quantifying intelligence. The original purpose of this test
was to identify students who might profit from a special
education and not to classify individuals on the basis of
ability. Binet also originated the concept of mental age with
his student Theodore Simon.” (Gargiulo 2015)
MARIA MONTESSORI
1870-1952
“ Achieved worldwide recognition for her pioneering
work with young children and youngsters with
intellectual disability. First female to earn a medical
degree in Italy. Expert in early childhood education.
Demonstrated that children are capable of learning at
a very early age when surrounded with manipulative
materials in a rich and stimulating environment.
Believed that children learn best by direct sensory
experience.” (Gargiulo 2015)
 LEWIS TERMAN
1877-1956
“An American educator and psychologist who revised
Binet’s original assessment instrument. The result was
the publication of the Stanford-Binet Scale of
Intelligence in 1916. Terman developed the notion of
intelligence quotient, or IQ. Also famous for lifelong
study of gifted individuals. Considered the
grandfather of gifted education.” (Gargiulo 2015)
Key Dates in the History
of Special Education in
the United States
 1963
Association for Children with Learning Disabilities is organized
 1972
Wolf Wolfenberger introduces the concept of normalization,
initially coined by Bengt Nirje of Sweden to the United States
 1973
Public Law 93-112, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is enacted;
Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
 1975
Education for all Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) is passed;
landmark legislation ensures, among other provisions, a free and
appropriate public education for all children with disabilities.
 1986
Education of the handicapped Act Amendments of 1986 (PL 99-457) are enacted;
mandate a special education for preschoolers with disabilities and incentives for
providing early intervention services to infants and toddlers.
 1990
Americans with disabilities Act (PL 101-336) becomes law;
prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
 1997
Individuals with disabilities Education Act (PL 105-17) is
reauthorized, providing a major retooling and expansion of
services for students with disabilities and their families.
 2001
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (PL 107-110) is enacted; a
major educational reform effort focusing or academic achievement
of students and qualifications of teachers.
 2004
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004
(PLx108-446) is passed; aligns IDEA legislation with provisions of
the No Child Left Behind Act; modifies the individualized education
program process in addition to changes affecting school discipline,
due process, and evaluation of students with disabilities.
 2008
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008 are enacted;
expand statutory interpretation of a disability while affording
individuals with disabilities grater protections.
 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President
Barack Obama “funding the individuals with Disabilities Education
Act.” and 12.2 billion dollars in additional funds.
 2010
IDEA celebrates 35 years
The individuals with Disabilities Education Act is the legislative
foundation for all services that students with disabilities receive in
schools.
 2011
IDEA Reauthorized
Students with disabilities are now required to be included on state
and district wide assessments. Regular Education Teachers are to
be included on the IEP team.
 REFERENCES
Gargiulo, R. M. (2015). Special Education in Contemporary Society (5th ed., pp. 17-20).

Leech, C. (2015). In Top 12 Pioneers in Education. Retrieved September 18, 2016, from http://www.teachhub.com/top-12-

pioneers-education

(n.d.). In Timeline of Key Dates in the History of Special Education in the U.S.. Retrieved September 18, 2016, from

https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/timeline-of-key-dates-in-the-history-of-special-education-in-the-us

(n.d.). In The History of Special Education. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.tiki-

toki.com/timeline/entry/46133/The-History-of-Special-Education/#vars!date=2014-02-09_11:58:27!

(n.d.). In American Educational History: A Hypertext Timeline. Retrieved September 19, 2016, from http://www.eds-

resources.com/educationhistorytimeline.html