FTCE Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K-12 Practice Test

What was the legislative intent behind Public Law 94-142?

1. To provide scholarships for students with disabilities

2. To ensure educational opportunities for children with disabilities

3. To limit the resources available to special education

4. To enforce stricter penalties on non-compliant schools

The correct answer is: To ensure educational opportunities for children with disabilities

The legislative intent behind Public Law 94-142, also known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, was fundamentally about ensuring that children with disabilities had access to a free and appropriate public education. This law mandated that schools provide special education services tailored to each student's individual needs, thereby supporting the right to an education for all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. This legislation established the foundation for increased access and equity in education, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and appropriate educational strategies for students with disabilities. It highlighted the necessity for schools to provide not only educational opportunities but also resources and accommodations that allow these students to thrive within the educational system.