Which federal law includes mandates that benefit students with disabilities in public schools?

The correct answer is IDEA, which stands for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This federal law specifically focuses on ensuring that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) tailored to their individual needs. IDEA mandates various supports and services, including special education and related services, to help students with disabilities access the general education curriculum effectively.

Under IDEA, schools must develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each eligible student, outlining tailored goals and the specific services required to meet those goals. The law emphasizes the importance of inclusion, encouraging schools to integrate students with disabilities into regular education environments whenever possible.

The other options, while related to disability and education in some capacity, do not solely focus on the educational rights and supports for students with disabilities in the same comprehensive way that IDEA does. For example, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) addresses broader civil rights protections and accessibility across various aspects of life, including education, but it does not specifically outline educational mandates like IDEA. Similarly, NCLB (No Child Left Behind) was more focused on accountability and standardized testing for all students rather than the specific educational needs of students with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act, particularly Section 504, provides some protections but is not as comprehensive