NBPTS Exceptional Needs Specialist Practice Exam

What does the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 mandate?

1. Strict segregation of students with disabilities

2. Individual Education Programs (IEPs), Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

3. Optional assessments for students with disabilities

4. Prohibition of special education funding

The correct answer is: Individual Education Programs (IEPs), Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), mandates several key provisions that are essential for ensuring the rights of students with disabilities in the educational system. Among these mandates are the requirement for Individual Education Programs (IEPs), the assurance of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), and the principle of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Individual Education Programs are critical because they ensure that each child with a disability has a customized educational plan tailored to their unique needs, involving specific educational goals, services, and the means of measuring progress. FAPE guarantees that students with disabilities receive a public education at no cost to their families, promoting equal access to educational opportunities. Least Restrictive Environment emphasizes that students with disabilities should be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible, providing opportunities for social interaction and inclusion while still receiving necessary support. These components work together to ensure that students with disabilities have access to the educational resources and supports they need to succeed academically and socially. This legislation has had a profound impact on how schools accommodate and support students with disabilities, fundamentally altering the landscape of special education in the U.S.