GACE Special Education 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The law that mandates a student requiring related services to receive support is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This federal legislation ensures that students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that is tailored to their individual needs. Under IDEA, related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling are provided as necessary to help the student benefit from their education.

While Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act also supports students with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination and ensuring access to an education, it does not specifically outline the services provided in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as IDEA does. Furthermore, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) focuses on accountability for public schools and does not specifically address special education services. FAPE, while critical, is a principle established under IDEA that encompasses the rights guaranteed to students once they are identified as needing special educational services.

IDEA distinctly highlights the importance of related services within the framework of special education, making it the appropriate choice when discussing support for students requiring those specific services.