What was mandated by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA)?

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA), which was enacted in 1975, mandated that public schools provide education to all children with disabilities. This law emphasized the right of these children to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment possible. The EAHCA was a significant legislative step toward ensuring that children with disabilities would not be excluded from educational opportunities available to their non-disabled peers. This act laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which further expanded and defined educational rights for students with disabilities. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the fundamental principle of equitable access to education for all students, particularly those with disabilities.