Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ), any student with a disability is entitled to Free Appropriate and Public Education (FAPE).

FAPE means special education and related services that:

• Are provided to children with disabilities at the school district's expense, under public supervision and direction, and at no additional charge

• Meet the standards of the state education agency, including the requirements of the IDEA

• Include preschool, elementary, or secondary school education in the state involved

• Are provided in conformity with requirements of the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP)

"Free" is an important part of the IDEA law's requirement, since it means that the education services will be at no extra cost to the parents of the child with a disability.

"Appropriate" means an education program designed specifically to meet the individual needs of the disabled child. Evaluations are conducted to identify as closely as possible what the child's individualized needs are, and to enable the school and the parents to design a plan that meets those needs.

"Public" refers to the right of all children with disabilities to attend public schools just as other children, regardless of the severity of their disabilities.

"Education" refers to the recognized and accepted fundamental right of all children to have guaranteed access to public education. This fundamental right is put into force and effect under the IDEA, a law which maintains the open door of opportunity and learning for every child.

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