Which legal act ensures that students with disabilities receive Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the legal act that specifically mandates that students with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This law emphasizes the importance of providing tailored educational services to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Under IDEA, schools are required to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for eligible students, ensuring that they receive necessary accommodations and modifications in their educational environment to access the curriculum effectively.

While other acts like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) also promote the rights of individuals with disabilities and aim to improve educational outcomes, they do not specifically guarantee FAPE in the same way that IDEA does. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) focuses on protecting the privacy of student education records rather than directly addressing educational provisions for students with disabilities. Thus, IDEA serves as the cornerstone for ensuring that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate education in a manner that is tailored to their individual needs.