Special education means specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of an eligible child with a disability. Special education ensures that all eligible children with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) that is designated to meet their unique needs and to prepare them for post-secondary outcomes and independent living. Special education provides instruction and related services, at no cost to the parent, to enable the child with a disability to have access to, and make progress in, the State curriculum in the regular classroom to the maximum extent appropriate. Special education services may be provided in the general or special education classroom, separate or on nonpublic schools, residential, home or hospital settings.