IDEA, Free Appropriate Public Education.

IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a United States federal law , most recently amended in 2004, meant to ensure "a free appropriate public education" for students with disabilities, within their individualized educational program Individual Education Program that distinguishes needs in the Least Restrictive Environment. The act requires that public schools provide necessary learning aids, testing modifications and other educational accommodations to children with disabilities. The act also establishes due process in providing these accommodations. Children whose learning is hampered by disabilities not interfering with their ability to function in a general classroom, may qualify for similar accommodations.

IDEA defines "child with a disability" as:

A child with mental retardation, hearing impairments (including deafness), speech or language impairments, visual impairments (including blindness), serious emotional disturbance,orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities who [because of the condition] needs special education and related services.

Free Appropriate Public Education

IDEA stipulates that students with disabilities have the right to receive appropriate public preschool, elementary and secondary education and related services, meeting state curriculum and standards requirements at no cost to the parents or guardians (although some related service charges for infants and toddlers below age 2 may be applied on a sliding scale). Appropriateness is individually defined according to one's IEP, which delineates specialized individual instruction. Public school districts are responsible for identifying all students with disabilities within their districts, regardless of whether they are attending public schools, since private institutions may not be funded for providing accommodations under IDEA.