What must schools do to comply with IDEA?

To comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students, including those with disabilities. This legal mandate ensures that students with disabilities have access to an education that is tailored to their individual needs, allowing them to make progress in the general curriculum. FAPE is a cornerstone of IDEA, guaranteeing that special education services are provided at no cost to families and are designed to meet the unique requirements of each eligible child.

The other options do not align with the core requirements of IDEA. Prioritizing athletic programs, focusing solely on standardized testing, or offering after-school care does not address the educational needs of students with disabilities as mandated by IDEA. Instead, the focus must be on providing individualized education programs (IEPs) that facilitate access to learning and progress within the school setting.