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The last lesson dealt with how to complete the IEP including how to measure and report progress to parents, and a variety of other factors that the IEP team must consider when developing an IEP. The primary purpose of IDEA and the IEP is to provide a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities. This lesson discusses what FAPE is and how to determine whether an IEP provides FAPE.
IDEA is clear about what the terms "free" and "public" mean. The major questions that arise are over the terms "education" and "appropriate." Special education is usually very broadly construed to include far more than just academics. It includes self-help skills such as toileting, dressing, and eating; all the related services including leisure education, recreation skills, and therapies such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and more; social skills, emotional coping strategies, and so on. However, a child is only entitled to those related services which are necessary to enable him or her to benefit from special education. Special education must address all of the child's unique educational needs. It should be emphasized that FAPE is special education and related services, not regular education and not the general curriculum.
At the end of the lesson we discuss common substantive and procedural errors that IEP teams commit. We also discuss the importance of implementing an IEP once it is developed and revising it if it is needed.
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