LRE stands for Least Restrictive Environment and means that the district must place your child in a placement that is the least restrictive environment that the child can accomplish his or her goals.
The school district must make available a full continuum of alternative placements, including instruction in the regular classroom, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions.
LRE placement options can be viewed on a spectrum with a regular general education classroom at the end of the spectrum. Next along the spectrum can could be Resource (RSP) with push in or push out services. Next would be a separate day class (SDC) on a general education campus, then a separate day class (SDC) on a secluded campus with only special education students. Next placement would be a nonpublic school. Next on the spectrum could be a residential treatment center and then home/hospital.
The default position when discussing LRE is a regular, general education environment. The district must consider whether supplementary aids and services could be provided that would allow the child to be satisfactorily educated in the regular education setting.
There are four factors to determine whether a placement is the LRE:
- The educational benefit to the student if placed in general education;
- The nonacademic benefits to the student if placed in general education;
- The effect on the teachers and classmates if the student is placed in general education;
- Costs.
(As for costs, there has not been a case that this discussed the costs as an issue or factor. Therefore for purposes of an IEP, I do not think it is relevant.)
Issues that should be explored when discussing LRE at an IEP:
- The district should consider and discuss a continuum of alternative placements at the IEP
- What, if any, supports, services, accommodations and/or modifications be made to keep your child in a general education classroom?
- If the answer is none to the above question, what, if any, supports, services, accommodations and or modifications in the IEP be made available on a general education site in a special day class?
- If the answer is none to the above question, what, if any, supports, services, accommodations and or modifications in the IEP be made available at a nonpublic school?
- Discussion should continue on the continuum of placements until the LRE is found for your child.
If you have questions about LRE or feel that your child was placed in a classroom that is not LRE, please contact me for a free consultation.
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