Which federal law emphasizes the rights of children with disabilities in education?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that specifically emphasizes the rights of children with disabilities in education. It establishes the framework for providing free appropriate public education (FAPE) to eligible students and mandates that schools create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to meet the unique needs of each child with a disability. This law ensures that children with disabilities have the same educational opportunities as their peers and that they receive the necessary supports and services to thrive in an educational setting.

In contrast, while the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) pertains to the confidentiality and protection of student education records, it does not directly address the rights of children with disabilities in terms of educational access and services. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) focused primarily on academic standards and accountability in education, rather than specifically on the rights of students with disabilities. Finally, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, particularly Section 504, prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability but does not provide the comprehensive educational framework established by IDEA, which specifically caters to the needs and rights of children with disabilities within the educational system. Thus, IDEA stands out as the key legislation focused on these children’s educational rights.