Which federal law requires schools to provide services to children with disabilities?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that mandates schools to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. This legislation ensures that children who are identified as having disabilities receive the necessary services and support to thrive in an educational environment. IDEA outlines specific requirements for creating individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to meet the unique needs of each student with a disability, ensuring they have access to the same educational opportunities as their peers. This focus on inclusivity and support is fundamental to the implementation of special education services in public schools.

The other laws mentioned do not specifically address the educational rights and services for children with disabilities in the same way as IDEA. For instance, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act primarily focuses on the prevention and treatment of child abuse, while the No Child Left Behind Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act center around educational standards and accountability rather than the specific needs of children with disabilities. Therefore, IDEA remains the cornerstone of federal legislation aimed at providing educational services to those children.