What significant change did the 1986 Amendments to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act introduce?

The significant change introduced by the 1986 Amendments to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act was the enhancement of the right to free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for children with disabilities. These amendments emphasized the importance of providing services that ensure students with disabilities receive an education tailored to their individual needs, which includes not only academic instruction but also necessary related services.

Before these amendments, while FAPE was established, the 1986 changes specifically expanded eligibility to include preschool-aged children, advocating for their right to education just like older students. This underscored the federal commitment to ensuring that students with disabilities are integrated into educational settings and can benefit from the same educational opportunities as their peers.

In this context, the focus on family involvement, access to vocational training, and transportation assistance, while important components of a supportive educational framework, were not the key changes implemented through the 1986 amendments. The main goal was solidifying the educational rights of children with disabilities, making FAPE a central element of the legislation.