What federal law ensures appropriate education for students with disabilities?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that ensures appropriate education for students with disabilities. This law mandates that public schools provide free and appropriate education (FAPE) tailored to the individual needs of students with disabilities. IDEA specifies the requirements for developing individualized education programs (IEPs) for eligible students, ensuring that they receive the specialized services and support needed to help them succeed in an educational setting.

IDEA plays a crucial role in promoting inclusion and protecting the rights of students with disabilities, emphasizing that these students should have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers without disabilities. The focus on tailored educational programs and services is a key element in fostering an environment where students with disabilities can thrive academically and socially.

The other options, while related to disability rights and protections in various ways, do not specifically address the requirement for educational provisions in the same direct manner as IDEA does. For instance, the Americans with Disabilities Act broadens civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination in various areas, including employment and public accommodations, but it does not specifically govern educational processes. Similarly, the Rehabilitation Act addresses issues related to vocational rehabilitation and provides some protections against discrimination, but it does not lay out the educational frameworks and requirements that IDEA