What is the purpose of Public Law 94-142?

Public Law 94-142, also known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, was enacted in 1975 with the primary purpose of ensuring that children with disabilities have the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. This law marked a significant shift in how children with disabilities are educated by mandating that public schools provide tailored educational programs and services to meet their unique needs.

The law emphasizes the importance of inclusion and access for students with disabilities, making it essential for educational institutions to accommodate various challenges these students might face. It also requires that an Individualized Education Program (IEP) be developed for each eligible child, detailing specific educational goals and how those will be achieved.

In contrast, the other options focus on areas outside the main intent of Public Law 94-142. While regulating teacher certification processes and enforcing educational standards are important aspects of education policy, they do not capture the essence of what Public Law 94-142 was created to address. Similarly, establishing universal access to technology, while valuable for enhancing education, is not the central aim of this particular law. Therefore, the correct answer directly aligns with the law's primary purpose of mandating appropriate public education for disabled children.