Which legislation was enacted in the 1970s to guarantee a free appropriate public education to children with disabilities?

The correct answer is Public Law 94-142, which was enacted in 1975. This landmark legislation, also known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, established the right of children with disabilities to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The law aimed to ensure that all children, regardless of their disabilities, would have access to educational opportunities that would meet their individual needs and help them succeed.

Public Law 94-142 mandated that schools develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each eligible child, outlining specific educational goals and the services required to achieve them. This law fundamentally changed the educational landscape by requiring public schools to accommodate students with disabilities, thereby promoting inclusivity and equal access in education.

The other options presented, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, No Child Left Behind, and the Every Child Succeeds Act, focus on different aspects of education reform, such as improving educational standards, accountability, and overall educational quality. However, none of these specifically address the mandate for free appropriate public education for children with disabilities in the manner of Public Law 94-142.