Which type of educational institutions does IDEA specifically cover?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) specifically covers public schools because it mandates that public school systems provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all eligible children with disabilities. This law establishes specific requirements for the education of children with disabilities, ensuring that they receive the necessary supports and services to help them succeed in school.

Public schools are required to adhere to the guidelines set forth by IDEA, including developing individualized education programs (IEPs) that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each child with a disability. This emphasis on public education highlights the government's responsibility to ensure that all children, regardless of their disabilities, have access to an equitable education within public educational settings.

While other types of educational institutions, such as private schools and charter schools, may offer services to students with disabilities, IDEA does not have the same enforceable requirements for those institutions. Therefore, the focus remains on public schools as the primary entities responsible for fulfilling the obligations set by IDEA.