---
title: What is and isn’t covered under FAPE
description: Find out what FAPE requires schools to do (and what it doesn’t require schools to do) for kids who qualify for special education services.
slug: what-is-and-isnt-covered-under-fape
author: Andrew M.I. Lee, JD
reviewer: Bob Cunningham, EdM
published: '2019-08-05T15:13:29.362Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/7247rAqeAVqWMfPeWIytbk/09b9744b92e8c14b598419c83cc79250/G493189993.png
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-and-isnt-covered-under-fape
lang: en
---

# What is and isn’t covered under FAPE

Federal law guarantees the right to a free appropriate public** **education (FAPE) to kids with disabilities. That can include kids with learning and thinking differences. 

FAPE is a powerful legal right for students. Knowing what it covers can help parents and caregivers advocate for the services and supports their kids need. It can also help schools and families partner with each other. 

The right to FAPE comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Need the basics? Download a one-page summary of FAPE: 

[Free appropriate public education (FAPE)](https://cdn-assets.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/3SxlMzMGCZDKd7RvcGwi91/21678677a199e994f53be0cbf84ed54a/Free_and_Appropriate_Public_Education__FAPE__Understood.pdf)

---

<!-- structured-data -->
```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-and-isnt-covered-under-fape#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-and-isnt-covered-under-fape","description":"Find out what FAPE requires schools to do (and what it doesn’t require schools to do) for kids who qualify for special education services."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-and-isnt-covered-under-fape","name":"What is and isn’t covered under FAPE"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-08-05T15:13:29.362Z","description":"Find out what FAPE requires schools to do (and what it doesn’t require schools to do) for kids who qualify for special education services.","headline":"What is and isn’t covered under FAPE","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-and-isnt-covered-under-fape","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}]
```