Which law prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical or mental impairments in an educational environment?

The law that particularly prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical or mental impairments in an educational environment is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as "504." This provision ensures that students with disabilities receive equal access to education and related services, and it mandates accommodations in schools so that these students can participate fully in academic programs.

Section 504 specifically protects individuals from discrimination based on their disabilities, requiring schools to provide necessary support and modifications. This law is often invoked in public education settings where students with disabilities need to be integrated into mainstream classrooms, ensuring they are not excluded due to their impairments.

In contrast, while the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also addresses discrimination and promotes equal opportunities, it applies more broadly to public and private entities, including employment and services, rather than focusing narrowly on educational contexts. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is pivotal for special education services, ensuring eligible children receive appropriate educational programming but is more specific to funding and services rather than discrimination itself. The Equal Education Opportunity Act aims to eliminate discrimination in education but does not explicitly focus on disabilities as directly as Section 504 does. Thus, "504" is the most appropriate answer to the question as it specifically targets discrimination against