What is a free appropriate public education (FAPE)?
Children with disabilities are entitled to the same educational experience as their non-disabled peers. IDEIA states that the expenses associated with providing for the special needs of children with disabilities are a public responsibility– the centerpiece of the law is the FAPE concept. Generally, FAPE means that children with disabilities are entitled to a publicly financed education that is appropriate to their age and abilities in any state that: • Are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and at no cost to the parent; • Meets the standards of the state educational agency (SEA) including the requirements of this article; • Include an appropriate early childhood education, elementary school, or secondary school in the state; and • Are provided in conformity with an IEP hat meets the requirements of this article; • Include the award of credit and diploma for completion of academic requirements to the same extent the credit is awarded to students withou
