What was a key component of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act passed in 1975?

The key component of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act passed in 1975 is the provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This landmark legislation ensured that children with disabilities had the right to receive an education that was tailored to their individual needs while being educated alongside their peers without disabilities whenever possible. This approach emphasizes inclusion and the importance of providing supportive resources to help children thrive in their educational settings.

By mandating FAPE, the Act obligates schools to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each eligible child, which outlines specific educational goals and the services necessary to meet those goals. The least restrictive environment concept promotes the idea that students with disabilities should spend as much time as possible in general education classrooms, fostering social interactions and academic opportunities among all students.

This comprehensive framework laid the groundwork for future special education policies and reforms, affirming the rights of children with disabilities and ensuring their access to meaningful educational experiences. Other options, such as mandating regular education placements for all children or focusing solely on specific types of disabilities, narrow the scope and do not encapsulate the broader intent of the Act, which aimed to serve all children with disabilities equitably.