FAPE stands for?

• A. Free and Accessible Public Education
• B. Free and Adequate Public Education
• C. Free and Appropriate Public Education
• D. Federal Aid for Public Education

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is that students with disabilities are guaranteed a free public education that is appropriate to their individual needs. This is the principle behind FAPE.

FAPE means the education is provided at no cost to families within the public school system, and it must be tailored to the student’s unique needs so they receive meaningful educational benefit. In practice, this is carried out through an individualized education program (IEP) and may include related services and supports, such as accessible formats or assistive technology, delivered in the least restrictive environment.

The term does not use “accessible,” “adequate,” or “federal aid.” Those ideas describe different concepts (access or funding) but not the official promise of a free, suitable public education to students with disabilities. So the correct understanding is Free and Appropriate Public Education.