Least Restrictive Learning Environment

Defining Least Restrictive Environment

Inclusive education is best defined by membership.  Included students with IEPs are supported members of age-appropriate general education classes and programs in their home school communities.  They receive specialized instruction, related services, and/or supplementary aids and services to enable involvement  and progress in the general education curriculum (34 CFR Part 300 1, p. 12470; 20 USC 141[1][A][iii])

LRE IS:

  • required by Federal and State Law

  • where students with disabilities have the opportunity to attend their home schools

  • an individualized determination of the appropriate placement that is made by the IEP team, including the student as appropriate

  • consideration of the full array of services to meet individual student needs, including supplementary aids and services provided in the general classroom

  • placement of students with disabilities with peers of the same chronological age

  • bringing supports and services to students where they need them 9e.g., in general education classes or in community vocational settings, etc.)

  • educating students in general education classrooms with appropriate supports and services

  • providing access to all areas of the general education curriculum

  • collaboration and shared responsibility among general and special educators, administrators, parents, and students with disabilities

LRE IS NOT:

  • an option      

  • educating students with disabilities without considering their home school

  • considering only one placement option within the array of services

  • making IEP teams choose between needed services and a preferred appropriate placement

  • “putting” students in general education classrooms without appropriate supports

  • providing a separate, unrelated curriculum to the general education curriculum

  • special educators assuming sole responsibility for students with disabilities

Inclusive Education Guidelines (pdf)

 

Resources on LRE:

Building Instructional Capacity and Skill of Educators

School culture and leadership that supports LRE

From the States


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