free appropriate public education

law

Also known as: FAPE

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July 21, 2026

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The concept of a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) is a cornerstone of special education law in the United States, primarily established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (formerly the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). This law mandates that all children with disabilities receive special education and related services at public expense, under public supervision, and without charge.1

A key component of FAPE is the individualized education program (IEP), a detailed plan developed for each student receiving special education. The U.S. Supreme Court case Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley (1982) clarified that FAPE requires services that "permit the child to benefit educationally from that instruction," rather than guaranteeing a child reach their full potential. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) also protects student records, ensuring privacy and access rights for parents and eligible students.213

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Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
…disabled students with a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) in the “least restrictive environment”—i.e., in classrooms with nondisabled children, where feasible—as detailed in an individualized education program (IEP) developed for each child by school officials in consultation with parents or guardians. The court’s decision in Rowley thus defined the…
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…disabled students with a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE) in the “least restrictive environment”—i.e., in classrooms with nondisabled children, where feasible—as detailed in an individualized education program (IEP) developed for each child by school officials in consultation with parents or guardians. The court’s decision in Rowley thus defined the…
Read More