Chuck and Sue Saur seek support from local higher education institutions to develop a training program to make conductive education (CE) a reality in Michigan. After traveling abroad to access CE for their son Dan, they can see this life-changing program needs to be available for families in the United States.

President of Aquinas College, Dr. Harry J. Knopke and Dr. James V. Garofalo, Dean of the School of Education, agree to complete a pilot study of conductive education at Ken-O-Sha School (Grand Rapids Public Schools). After great success, Aquinas moves forward to establish the first conductor-teacher training program in North America.

International Pető Institute, now known as Semmelweis University Andras Pető Faculty, assigns Andrea Benyovszky as project director to establish a conductor-teacher training program and oversee the Conductive Learning Center lab school.

President of Aquinas College, Harry J. Knopke, Ph.D., signs an agreement with International Pető Institute to establish a training program for conductor-teachers in Grand Rapids, MI. and the college hires former director of special education services at Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kathy Barker, to oversee the establishment of the Conductive Learning Center.

Aquinas College graduates four students from the first cohort to complete the Bachelor of Arts Degree, obtaining their initial teacher certifications in Elementary Education and Physical or Other Health Impairment (POHI), as well as a conductor-teacher certification from the International Pető Institute.

The Conductive Learning Center becomes a wholly independent non-profit and re- establishes itself as a fully licensed non-public school.

CLC moves to its new, fully renovated location on Camelot Court to increase its capacity and create more opportunities to serve more students living with motor challenges.

CLC kicks off a celebration of 25 Years of Advancing Independence through conductive education. Since its pilot program in the summer of 1999, CLC has served nearly 1,000  students and their families — providing support, confidence, independence, and hope.