This glossary can be helpful for new special educators. There are many acronyms in the field of Education, even the term itself, Special Education, is sometimes shortened to "Sped"
E.A.H.C.A. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act
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EAHCA was enacted by the United States Congress in 1975. This act required all public schools accepting federal funds to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical and mental disabilities. Public schools were required to evaluate children with disabilities and create an educational plan with parent input that would emulate as closely as possible the educational experience of non-disabled students. The act was an amendment to Part B of the Education of the Handicapped Act enacted in 1966.
Example: The act also required that school districts provide administrative procedures so that parents of disabled children could dispute decisions made about their children's education.
F.A.P.E. Free Appropriate Public Education
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A Free Appropriate Public Education means that the child with disabilities will receive the same education as a child without disability or handicap. FAPE can be achieved by giving the child special services, usually written in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Example: Once a disability is identified, that child has a right for Free Appropriate Public Education and services must be provided by the state.
I.D.E.A. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.
The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to millions of eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
Infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, with disabilities and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
Example: IDEA ensures that all children with disabilities are entitled to a free, appropriate, public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education.
L.R.E. Least Restrictive Environment
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LRE means that a student who has a disability should have the opportunity to be educated with non-disabled peers, to the greatest extent appropriate. They should have access to the general education curriculum, extracurricular activities, or any other program that non-disabled peers would be able to access.
Example: LRE means that a child with a disability must be educated within the same classroom as typical mainstreamed non-disabled peers to the fullest extent possible in order to ensure that a disabled child is receiving a free appropriate public education (FAPE)
