Which Act mandates that free and appropriate public education be provided in the least restrictive environment?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the act that mandates that free and appropriate public education (FAPE) be provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for children with disabilities. Although the Education for All Handicapped Children Act originally established the right to FAPE, it was later reauthorized and renamed as IDEA. This act emphasizes the importance of accommodating students in the least restrictive environment as much as possible, allowing them to participate in regular educational settings alongside their non-disabled peers.

This approach reflects a commitment to inclusion and acknowledges the importance of providing supports that enable students with disabilities to succeed in an educational setting. The act has been pivotal in promoting the educational rights of children with disabilities and ensuring they receive necessary services tailored to their individual needs in a supportive environment.