What is the primary legislation governing special education in the United States?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the primary legislation governing special education in the United States. This law ensures that children with disabilities have the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs. IDEA outlines the processes and requirements for providing special education services, including the development of individualized education programs (IEPs) for students, and establishes specific procedural safeguards to protect the rights of students and their families.

Through IDEA, schools are mandated to provide special education services in the least restrictive environment (LRE) possible, which emphasizes inclusion and access to the general education curriculum alongside their peers. The law's focus on educational benefits and outcomes for students with disabilities underlines the importance it places on ensuring equitable access to education.

The other legislation mentioned, while significant, serves different purposes. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act, for example, is the precursor to IDEA and was replaced by it. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provides broader civil rights protections against discrimination for individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal funding but does not specifically focus on the educational needs of children. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is aimed at preventing discrimination in all areas of public life, not just in education, making