The law that provides people with a free appropriate public education is the Individuals with Disabilities Act. It was last updated in 2004. It emphasizes special education services and related services to help educate your child based on their unique needs and prepare them for further education, future employment or independent living. It is public expense, therefore it must comply with state standards and your child's IEP. However, parents should be aware that the law provides for an appropriate education, not the best. The best is a four-letter word. What I mean is if you go into your child's IEP and you say to your Vice President and your school, I want the best education for my child, the school's going to reply, and say, your child's only entitled to an appropriate education. And that is correct. Because under IDEA, it states, "free appropriate public education."