IDEA Requires Schools to Offer a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Under IDEA, schools must provide FAPE in the least restrictive environment, ensuring IEPs address academic and functional needs, with recent cases like Endrew F. emphasizing the importance of meaningful educational benefits.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and the IDEA Act 🍎
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all children with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). FAPE means an educational program that meets a child's unique needs without unnecessary restrictions.
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) 📝
Schools must create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student with disabilities. This IEP should address both academic and functional needs, including:
- Specialized instruction
- Related services (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy)
- Accommodations and modifications to the general curriculum
- Access to extracurricular activities
- Goals that outline progress
Ensuring FAPE 💯
Even with an IEP, students may not always receive full FAPE. It's crucial for teachers, parents, and advocates to understand what FAPE truly means, including the concept of "educational benefit."
Legal Clarification: Endrew F. Case ⚖️
The Endrew F. v. Board of Education case provided important clarity on how to interpret the requirement of "educational benefit" and what to do when an IEP doesn't seem to meet a child's needs. This case built upon the Rowley decision and gave insight into creating IEPs that provide FAPE. It also emphasized the importance of considering parentally placed private school students when determining FAPE.