“Free and Appropriate Education” (FAPE) is an educational right guaranteed by Federal law.
Students with disabilities have the same right to K-12 public education that students without disabilities have. In order to receive and benefit from that education, students with disabilities may need special education and/or related aids and services. A free and appropriate public education (FAPE) is available to all qualified students of school age with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of their disabilities.
Public schools are required to provide appropriate education and modifications, aids and related services free of charge to students with disabilities and their parents or guardians. The “appropriate” component means that this education must be designed to meet the individual educational needs of the student as determined through appropriate evaluation and placement procedures. However, students with disabilities must be educated with students without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/pro-students/issues/dis-issue03.html
