Which law requires schools to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that mandates schools to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. This law ensures that individual education plans (IEPs) are created for students with disabilities, which outlines the specific educational goals and services required to meet their unique needs. The primary focus of IDEA is to ensure that students with disabilities have equitable access to education and that they receive necessary supports to succeed academically alongside their peers.

By establishing the requirement for FAPE, IDEA specifically addresses the obligation of public educational entities to tailor resources and support to accommodate the learning needs of students with disabilities, aiming to promote inclusion and prevent discrimination in educational settings. This law plays a crucial role in shaping educational policies and practices that affect how schools serve students with disabilities.