Which law outlines the rights of individuals with disabilities in educational settings?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the correct answer because it specifically focuses on ensuring that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs. IDEA mandates that schools create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for eligible students, which outlines specific educational goals and the services required to meet those goals.

This law emphasizes the right of students with disabilities to participate fully in educational programs and ensures that they are given the support necessary to succeed academically. Additionally, IDEA has provisions that promote parental involvement in the educational process, encouraging collaboration between schools and families to develop and implement effective educational strategies.

Other laws, while related to disability rights, serve different specific purposes. For instance, the Rehabilitation Act primarily addresses the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities and prohibits discrimination in federally funded programs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disability in all areas of public life, which includes education but does not focus solely on educational rights. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act was the precursor to IDEA and set the foundation for many of the rights that IDEA now enforces, but it has since been replaced and updated by IDEA itself.