Reply as if responding to her:

Getting an education isn't just about books and grades, individuals are also learning how to participate fully in the life to become active citizens of the world. FAPE means Students are entitled to a free education, meaning school districts may not charge parents for students with disabilities; this means that they have the right to receive special education and related services at no cost to them. Students also have a right to an appropriate education. For students with disabilities, this may mean they receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan that gives them equal access to learning. Additionally, an appropriate education must meet the standards of the educational state agency.

IDEA clearly details the required components of the IEP document, which systematically build on each other to provide an individualized education for the student. If components are missing, the IEP can no longer represent a cohesive program. To establish a FAPE, the IEP is written to include any services needed, any accommodations, modifications, aids, or other specific requirements that will assist the student in their education. A FAPE will look different for each individual student depending on their IEP. FAPE is a provision to protect students by implementing a Free Appropriate Public Education and the IEP defines what that means for each student.

In the State of Maryland were I reside Federal law( the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act) and Maryland state laws require coverage for all students with disabilities be provided a "free, appropriate public education" that helps them learn and prepares them for employment and daily living. This means local public school districts will provide individualized or special education and related services to students with disabilities from birth until they leave high school.Students with needs that cannot be met by the local public school are still entitled to a "free appropriate public education. In many cases, the local school system will continue to pay for the student's special education services in the nonpublic school (Special Education Services, n.d.).

The FAPE requirement does not guarantee successful outcomes but instead, services sufficient for the student to make progress. Information from tests, progress charts and assessments provide teams with information to help determine if a student is receiving FAPE.

However, if parents place their student in a nonpublic school unilaterally; (meaning without consulting the local school system), FAPE does not pay for coverage for special education services.