Guarding the sacred fires: Elizabeth E. Farrell's contributions to the creation of special education in New York City
Abstract
This study examines the contributions of Elizabeth E. Farrell on the creation of special education in New York City. As the school system's fast Inspector of the Department of Ungraded Classes, Farrell was uniquely positioned to design a program of special services that influenced other programs throughout the country and ultimately, legislation and procedures in place today. Additionally, this research investigates some of the social and scientific factors that influenced Farrell as she sought to develop and implement this plan. Further, as the first president of the professional organization, Council for Exceptional Children, and as a founding member of the New York State Psychological Association, Farrell established the basis for a special education professional network still in existence. Utilizing historical research methods, this study relies heavily on both primary and secondary source documents, including Annual Reports from the City Superintendent of Schools to the New York City Board of Education , excerpts from the journal Ungraded , publications from the Council for Exceptional Children and the New York State Psychological Association, as well as archival records from New York University, Teachers College at Columbia University, and the State University of New York at Oswego.
This paper has been withdrawn.