Which law requires all public schools to implement a process for identifying and evaluating students with disabilities?

• A. IDEA
• B. ADA
• C. Section 504
• D. FERPA

Answer: (A)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the law that mandates public schools to establish a systematic process for identifying and evaluating students who may have disabilities. It ensures that these students are provided with the necessary special education services tailored to their unique needs. Under IDEA, schools are required to not only identify students who may require special education but also to evaluate them to determine their eligibility for services. This process is fundamental to ensuring equal educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities, allowing schools to develop appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) based on students' specific requirements.

Other laws, while also important in the context of disability rights and education, do not specifically outline the procedures for identification and evaluation of students with disabilities in the same way that IDEA does. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides broader protections against discrimination for individuals with disabilities but does not specifically address educational evaluation processes. Section 504 prohibits discrimination and ensures access to education for individuals with disabilities, but it is more of an anti-discrimination law rather than a framework for the evaluation process. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) focuses on protecting students' privacy regarding their educational records and does not deal with the identification and evaluation of disabilities. Thus, IDEA is