What does FAPE ensure for students with disabilities?

The correct answer focuses on the fundamental principle set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates that all students with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This means that students with disabilities have the right to receive educational services that are tailored to their specific needs without any cost to their families.

FAPE ensures that these students have access to specially designed instructions and necessary supports to help them benefit from their education, aligning with the individual education programs (IEPs) that address their unique challenges. This approach underscores the importance of inclusivity and aims to provide an equitable education for students with disabilities, ensuring that they are not denied educational opportunities due to their disabilities.

The other options, while related to the overall educational experience, do not capture the essence of what FAPE specifically guarantees. Access to free textbooks, the opportunity to attend any public school, and availability of after-school programs do not encompass the comprehensive rights and services provided under FAPE that focus on meeting the educational needs of students with disabilities.