FAPE, which stands for Free Appropriate Public Education, ensures that students with disabilities are entitled to receive a quality education at no cost. This legal requirement is outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Schools are obligated to develop individualized plans for each student and offer additional support services, such as counseling, without any additional fees.
The acronym FAPE represents free appropriate public education, which mandates that public schools must offer education to students with physical or mental disabilities without any additional fees. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees this right to students. For instance, if a student has a learning disability, the school must devise an individualized education plan (IEP) to aid them in learning. This plan may involve extra assistance from a teacher or special accommodations during exams. The school cannot impose any charges on the student or their family for these services. Similarly, if a student has a mental health condition, the school must provide access to a counsellor or therapist, and this service must also be free of cost to the student. FAPE ensures that all students, irrespective of their disabilities, have access to education and support services that will enable them to excel in school.
FAPE stands for Free Appropriate Public Education. It is a legal term used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires public schools to provide eligible students with disabilities with a free and appropriate education that meets their unique needs.
Students with disabilities who are between the ages of 3 and 21 and who meet the eligibility criteria under IDEA are eligible for FAPE.
“Appropriate” means that the education provided to the student must be tailored to meet their unique needs and must be designed to help them make progress in their education.
FAPE includes a wide range of services, such as special education instruction, related services (such as speech therapy or occupational therapy), accommodations and modifications, and assistive technology.
If a school fails to provide FAPE, parents can file a complaint with the school district or file a due process complaint. They can also seek legal representation to help them advocate for their child’s rights.
In most cases, parents can choose where their child receives FAPE. This may include public schools, private schools, or homeschooling.
No, schools cannot charge for FAPE services. FAPE is a right guaranteed to eligible students under IDEA, and schools are required to provide these services at no cost to parents.
No, schools cannot deny FAPE services to students with disabilities. Schools are required by law to provide eligible students with disabilities with a free and appropriate education that meets their unique needs.
Schools cannot limit the amount of FAPE services provided to a student if those services are necessary to meet the student’s unique needs and help them make progress in their education.
Yes, parents can request changes to their child’s FAPE services if they believe that the services are not meeting their child’s unique needs or if they believe that their child needs additional services to make progress in their education.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
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