Legal and Ethical Foundations Flashcards

Which federal law mandates a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities in the US?

Answer: IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

IDEA mandates that eligible students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

The principle of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) under IDEA requires that students with disabilities be educated:

Answer: To the maximum extent appropriate alongside non-disabled peers

LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate given their individual needs.

Which of the following is NOT one of the six core principles of IDEA?

Answer: Standardized Testing Exemption

IDEA's six principles are Zero Reject, FAPE, LRE, Appropriate Evaluation, Parental Participation, and Procedural Safeguards — standardized testing exemption is not among them.

Under IDEA, an Initial Evaluation to determine special education eligibility must be completed within how many calendar days of parental consent?

Answer: 60 days

Federal IDEA regulations require that an initial evaluation be completed within 60 days of receiving parental consent, unless the state establishes a different timeline.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act differs from IDEA primarily because Section 504:

Answer: Covers a broader range of disabilities but does not require specialized instruction

Section 504 is a civil rights law covering any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, but it provides accommodations rather than requiring specialized instruction or an IEP.

Parental rights under IDEA's procedural safeguards include the right to:

Answer: Receive prior written notice before any change to the student's educational placement

IDEA requires schools to provide prior written notice to parents before proposing or refusing any change in identification, evaluation, or educational placement.