Special Education

As defined in the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), special education is specially-designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. It includes instruction conducted in the classroom or at home, hospitals, or other locations. Special education also includes physical education (fine and gross motor skills), travel training, vocational training, and speech-language education. Special education instruction should ensure that the child can access the general curriculum so as to meet the educational standards that apply to all children. Furthermore, special education services should be provided in a least restrictive environment as much as possible.