Understanding Your Child's Right to FAPE
FAPE—Free Appropriate Public Education—is the cornerstone of special education law.
What Does FAPE Mean?
Free
No cost to parents for special education and related services.
Appropriate
- Education must enable the child to make progress
- Must be individualized to meet unique needs
- The "Endrew F." standard requires "appropriately ambitious" goals
The Endrew F. Standard
In 2017, the Supreme Court clarified that schools must offer an IEP "reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances."
Components of FAPE
- Special Education: Specially designed instruction
- Related Services: Transportation, therapy, counseling
- Supplementary Aids: Supports for regular education
- Accommodations: Changes to how content is taught or assessed
How to Ensure Your Child Receives FAPE
- Monitor progress reports
- Ask questions about goals and services
- Document everything
- Request meetings when progress stalls
When FAPE is Denied
Signs:
- Lack of meaningful progress
- Goals that are too easy or too hard
- Missing services
- Inappropriate placement
Key Takeaways
- FAPE is a legal right, not a privilege
- "Appropriate" means meaningful progress
- Document concerns and advocate persistently
Related reading:
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Start Your Free TrialAbout the Author: This guide was created by the team at IEP Advocate.ai, a platform built by parents, for parents, to make special education advocacy accessible to everyone. Our mission is to empower parents with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to secure the services their children deserve—starting with demanding real data, not just empty promises.