Final answer:
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures free and appropriate education for all students, especially those with disabilities, in the least restrictive environment. It was preceded by laws such as NCLB and follows key court decisions that established universal access to education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The law that states free and appropriate education must be provided to all students in the least restrictive environment is known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Initially passed as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1973, it was later renamed and is designed to ensure that children with disabilities are mainstreamed with all students, whenever appropriate. The act requires public schools to create individual educational plans (IEPs) to support the unique learning needs of each student with disabilities.
This furthers the goal of providing education in the least restrictive environment and promoting universal access to education, which was emphasized by precedents like the Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia decision. In 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) worked alongside IDEA to hold schools accountable for the educational progress of all students, imposing corrective actions for schools failing to make adequate yearly progress.
The ongoing evolution of legislation, such as IDEA and ESEA, demonstrates the federal commitment to ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, receive a quality education. The IDEA and NCLB are complemented by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), implemented during the Obama administration to replace the NCLB and remedy its unworkable prescriptions, while focusing on preparing students for success in college and careers.