FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) is a legal right guaranteed to all students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Schools must provide special education and related services at no cost to families, designed to meet each student's unique needs.
What FAPE Includes
FAPE ensures that students with disabilities receive an education comparable to that of non-disabled peers, including access to the general curriculum, specialized instruction, related services, and appropriate accommodations. The education must be provided in the least restrictive environment.
Determining Appropriateness
What constitutes "appropriate" is individualized for each student through the IEP process. Courts have held that schools must provide more than minimal benefit—education must be reasonably calculated to enable progress appropriate to the child's circumstances.