Special Education
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitles every student with a disability to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) through their local school district from birth to age 22. To ensure a FAPE, a team of professionals from the local educational agency meets with the student's parents or guardians to identify the student's unique educational needs, to develop annual goals for the student, and to determine the placement, program modification, testing accommodations, and other special services that the student needs. These decisions are recorded in a written Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plan. The school is required to develop and implement an IEP that meets the standards set by federal and state educational agencies.