Free and Appropriate Public Education
Special education and related services that-
- are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge,
- meet the standards of the State educational agency
- include an appropriate preschool, elementary, or secondary school education in the state involved, and
- are provided in conformity with the individualized education program
- Free- requires that the education of each child with a disability must be provided at public expense and at no cost to the child's parents with the exception of fees that are also charged to non-disabled peers (ex: art supplies or field trip fee)
- Appropriate- means that each child with a disability is entitled to an education that is "appropriate" for his or her needs and therefore is determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Public- refers to the public school system who must educate students with disabilities, respond to their individual needs, and help them plan for their future.
- Education- IDEA is an education act that guarantees that eligible children with disabilities will receive a public education, which includes special education and related services, as directed by the child's IEP, based on the child's individual needs.
- That services are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction without charge.
- That services meet standards of the state educational agency.
- That services include an appropriate preschool, elementary, or secondary school education in the state involved.
- That services are provided in conformity with the individualized education program.
- Throughout history, students with special needs have struggled to receive proper, best-practiced education. We have studied various important court cases, which have worked towards providing free and appropriate education for all students. This principle of IDEA provides the foundation for all s1tudents receiving services for diverse needs. All other principles are related because FAPE is the core of why educators and lawmakers want to give every child the best education possible. One important aspect of FAPE is the Supreme Court mandate of the assessment of whether schools are complying with the requirements and procedures of IDEA. All of the principles are kept in check through the implementation of FAPE.