IDEA requires free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment (FAPE in LRE). Which statement best describes this?

IDEA requires free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment (FAPE in LRE). Which statement best describes this?

• A. Education must be provided at no cost to families in the least restrictive environment.
• B. Education must be provided at any cost to ensure inclusion.
• C. Education must be provided only in special schools.
• D. Education must be provided in a manner chosen by the district with no involvement from parents.

Answer: (A)

FAPE in LRE means students with disabilities must receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to the greatest extent appropriate, with services provided at no cost to families and with parents involved in decision-making. The statement that best captures this is that education must be provided at no cost to families in the least restrictive environment, because it combines both the no-cost requirement of FAPE and the placement principle of LRE. The other ideas misstate either the funding (implying families must pay) or the placement approach (favoring only special schools) or exclude parental involvement, all of which are inconsistent with IDEA.

FAPE in LRE means students with disabilities must receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment to the greatest extent appropriate, with services provided at no cost to families and with parents involved in decision-making. The statement that best captures this is that education must be provided at no cost to families in the least restrictive environment, because it combines both the no-cost requirement of FAPE and the placement principle of LRE. The other ideas misstate either the funding (implying families must pay) or the placement approach (favoring only special schools) or exclude parental involvement, all of which are inconsistent with IDEA.