Least Restrictive Environment
When deciding on placement of a student with a disability, IDEA requires students be placed in the “least restrictive environment.”
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is the federal law that states
“. . . to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability of a child is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”
There are a variety of settings that are available within the school setting. These settings are often called “ a continuum of alternative placements” and can range from “instruction in the regular education, special classes, special schools, home instruction and instruction in hospitals and institutions (Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2014).”
The “spirit of this requirement (LRE) is to ensure that children are not unnecessarily removed from the regular classroom or isolated from other non-disabled children of their age. LRE decisions are made based on children's learning needs and vary from child to child (Logsdon, 2014).”
“ The LRE is not any specific placement. Rather, it is the most appropriate placement for a child that is chosen from a range of options. The placement:
· Is a place in school where the IEP can be implemented;
· Is a flexible arrangement to meet the child's individual needs; and
· Can range from a separate classroom or school all day or part of the day to all day placement in a regular classroom with appropriate supportive services.
A child's IEP team determines LRE based on:
· IEP requirements
· The amount of direct instruction the child needs;
· The setting most likely to help the child achieve his goals;
· The school facilities needed to support the child's learning; and
· Consideration of services in the child's home school. (Logsdon, 2014).”
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
There are many additionally resources that may assist with your understanding of LRE including “What does the IDEA say about the Least Restrictive Environment?”
Summary: Michael Giangreco, PhD from the University of Vermont discusses IDEA and the concept of the LRE in a webinar that is full of useful information, examples and explanations of LRE and what it means.
Article: What is the Least Restrictive Environment?
Summary: A recent article from 2014 written by Ann Logsdon that includes basic facts of LRE.