Which law guarantees free and appropriate public education for eligible children from birth to 21 years old?

• A. IDEA
• B. ADA
• C. FERPA
• D. No Child Left Behind Act

Answer: (A)

IDEA guarantees free and appropriate public education for eligible children from birth through age 21. It ensures FAPE by providing special education services and related supports tailored through an individualized education program, delivered in the least restrictive environment. Early intervention for birth to 2 years falls under Part C, while ages 3 through 21 fall under Part B, but the core promise is that eligible students receive the education they need at no cost to families. Other laws like ADA protect broad civil rights and accessibility, FERPA covers privacy of records, and No Child Left Behind focused on accountability and testing—none of these establish the specific FAPE guarantee for the birth-to-21 range in public schools.