Special Education, for students ages 3 to 21, is guided by federal and state requirements. The federal requirements are referred to as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The state requirements are referred to as the Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities (Ohio Operating Standards).
Two Terms to Understand:
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Taken from, Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities, 3301-51-09 Delivery of Services:
Each school district shall ensure that to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or nonpublic institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) Taken from, Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities, 3301-51-02 Free Appropriate Public Education:
Each school district shall adopt and implement written policies and procedures, approved by the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, ensuring that a free appropriate public education (FAPE) is made available to all children with disabilities between the ages of three and twenty-one.