Clarifying the Free Appropriate Public Education Standard Post-Endrew for School Leaders

Abstract

All the federal laws and policies relating to individuals with disabilities aim to achieve four major goals: equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. The free appropriate public education (FAPE) plays an integral role in contributing to achieving these goals. The purpose of this paper was to obtain more understanding of the meaning of FAPE for students with disabilities especially after the case of Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District in Colorado in 2017. It is significant for administrators and teachers understand the ruling in Endrew because this decision will critically affect special education programs. Several implications for school leaders after the case of Endrew.