What does the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensure?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that children with disabilities have access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This federal law mandates that public schools provide special education and related services tailored to the individual needs of eligible students with disabilities, ensuring that they receive necessary support to succeed academically. FAPE emphasizes that education must be provided at no cost to the families and be designed specifically to meet the unique needs of each child.

This law is significant because it aims to promote the educational rights and opportunities of students with disabilities, allowing them to benefit from the same educational resources and experiences as their peers without disabilities. IDEA also requires that educational plans be developed through collaboration with parents, which ensures that families have a voice in the educational process.

The focus on providing FAPE highlights the importance of inclusion and equal access to education, rather than advancing policies solely related to discrimination, support for educators, or higher education. Thus, FAPE is foundational to creating equitable educational environments for students with disabilities.