Do children with disabilities have the right to a public education?
Yes. The "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" (IDEA), assures that all children with disabilities are to have a free public education, including special education and assistance, to meet the specific needs of the child. IDEA also protects certain rights of children with disabilities and their parents or guardians, assists state and local authorities in providing education to children with disabilities, and provides mechanisms to assess and insure the effectiveness of these programs in educating the children with disabilities.