Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The right of every child with a disability to receive special education and related services at no cost to the family. "Appropriate" means the education must be reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances, as established by the Supreme Court in Endrew F. v. Douglas County (2017).

A written plan developed for each child eligible for special education services. The IEP describes the child's present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, the special education and related services to be provided, and how progress will be measured. It is a legally binding document that schools must follow.

A set of rights guaranteed to parents under IDEA that protect their ability to participate in decisions about their child's education. These include the right to written notice before changes, access to records, informed consent, participation in meetings, and the right to disagree through mediation or due process.