34 CFR § 300.17 - Free appropriate public education.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t34/s300.17"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "34 CFR § 300.17 - Free appropriate public education."
title_number: 34
title_name: "Education"
section_number: "300.17"
section_name: "Free appropriate public education."
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION"
part_number: "300"
part_name: "ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "20 U.S.C. 1221e-3, 1406, 1411-1419, and 3474; Pub. L. 111-256, 124 Stat. 2643; unless otherwise noted."
regulatory_source: "71 FR 46753, Aug. 14, 2006, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "300"
---


# 300.17 Free appropriate public education.

*Free appropriate public education* or *FAPE* means special education and related services that—

(a) Are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge;

(b) Meet the standards of the SEA, including the requirements of this part;

(c) Include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the State involved; and

(d) Are provided in conformity with an individualized education program (IEP) that meets the requirements of §§ 300.320 through 300.324.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(9))