Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

FAPE stands for Free Appropriate Public Education. It is part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that makes sure students with disabilities receive special education and related services at no cost to the family. Public schools must provide an education that meets the unique needs of each student. This may include extra help in reading or math, speech or occupational therapy, assistive technology, or support from a classroom aide. Students who qualify for special education have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is a written plan that describes the services and goals for a student.

FAPE ensures that students with disabilities can attend school with their peers as much as possible. This is called the least restrictive environment or LRE. Students with disabilities must be included in school programs and activities and the school district must help them prepare for further education, work, and independent living. Evaluations are used by the school district to determine whether the student qualifies for special education and related services. The student must be identified as a child with a disability in one or more of the 13 disability categories and their disability must adversely affect their educational performance to qualify for services.

Parents/guardians are part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and help make decisions about their child’s education. Parents/guardians can ask questions, share concerns, and work with the school district to support their child’s progress. FAPE is important because it gives all students an equal chance to learn and succeed.

Source: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), U.S. Department of Education