Special Education Laws
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
Educational rights for students with disabilities in the United States set in place through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Families are at no cost for their children with disabilities and students are required to be provided with education appropriate to their needs.
Parents have the right to review and examine records, have access to complaint procedures, and participate in IEP meetings. Parents have the power to control and know any changes that happen.
Zero Reject
All children can received free and appropriate education no matter their disability. This is covered by IDEA to determine students disability and the related services that child may need along with realted services.
Students cannot be excluded or will be sent somewhere else to be provided with the help and learning they need. They are also given related services as well to meet their needs for learning
School district cannot exclude child because they have a severe disability, has inappropriate behavior, or disease. The only time child may be separated is if they have a disease that could infect other students.
Section 504
Disability discrimination is prohibited at schools that receive federal funding. The civil rights law is covered in section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. It provides 504 plans for K-12 students that are eligible.
There are no set rules and they can be different in every school district.
Since they are so big and unlimited, it is important to be more cautious since it is easier to be suited against.
504 students are entitled to the same protection as special education students.
Accommodations included in 504 plans are changes in the environment, instruction, and how learning material is presented.
Typically, child does not need to go under full evaluation, but student will receive support needed through plan if there is a need for assistance that is not special education.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
A principle stated through IDEA that special education students need an environment to accommodate and/ or modify to their needs to learn.
Doing whatever it takes to make students successful in the environment they are placed in
Important because the type of environment the student needs to learning is dirived from the IEP.
Read the IEP, know the students needs that come from it, and ask for help and clarification to be sure it is being followed properly.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Civil rights law that provides freedom from discrimination based on any form of disability.
The main purpose is to enforce that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Another important part is making sure everything is accessible for those dealing with disabilities. This is so there is the proper resources to meet disabled individuals needs.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Federal law that provides special education in K-12 public schools to meet the unique needs for students with disabilities.
Students with one out of 13 types of disabilities may qualify for special education through IDEA
This is what states must do in order to meet the needs of special education students while highly protecting disabled kids and their parents.
States are required to follow IDEA, but can have guidelines for disability qualifications.