What is FAPE?

Quick answer

FAPE stands for free appropriate public education. Under IDEA, FAPE means special education and related services provided at public expense, under public supervision, and without charge to parents beyond fees charged to all students. The program must meet state standards and be designed to meet the child's unique needs so the child can make progress.

What this means for parents

FAPE does not mean the best possible education or every service a parent wants. It means an appropriate program based on the child's evaluation and IEP.

• Free means the school pays for evaluation, special education, and related services listed in the IEP. Parents should not be billed for required IEP services.
• Appropriate means the IEP is reasonably calculated to enable the child to make progress in light of the child's circumstances, not that the school must maximize potential.
• Public education includes services in public schools and, when the IEP requires it, services in other settings such as a separate class, private placement at public expense, or related services at school.
• If the IEP is not implemented, or services are missed, the child may not be receiving FAPE even if a plan exists on paper.

Questions to ask about FAPE

Ask these when you want to know whether the school is actually providing what your child's IEP requires.

1. What special education and related services in the IEP are being delivered this week, and by whom?
2. What data shows my child is making progress toward IEP goals?
3. If services were missed, how will the school make them up?
4. If the current program is not working, what changes is the team proposing to provide FAPE?

Simple parent script

Common mistakes to avoid

• Equating FAPE with the best private therapy or the parent's preferred program rather than an appropriate IEP based on evaluation data.
• Assuming a signed IEP equals FAPE without checking whether services are delivered and progress is happening.
• Accepting reduced services because of staffing shortages without asking how the district will fulfill the IEP.
• Confusing free with no cost ever. Schools may charge fees that apply to all students, such as certain activity fees, but not for required special education.

When to get more help

Consider getting help when services in the IEP are routinely missed, the child is regressing or not progressing despite services, the school wants to remove services without new data, or you believe the placement cannot provide FAPE.