What is Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?

According to Wright & Wright (2006): The definition of “least restrictive environment” did not change in IDEA 2004. Schools are required to educated children with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. Judicial decisions about “mainstreaming” and “least restrictive environment” (LRE) vary, even within the same state. (p. 151)

School districts have argued for several years that requiring schools to mainstream children with disabilities in general education classrooms is unfair. The School Districts claim that some children with disabilities need personalized instruction that they cannot provide in a transition general education classroom. Wright & Wright, explains that a student has every right to be educated in the same classroom settings as their none disabled peers, but they are still entitled a “one-one or small group instruction out-side of regular class if necessary for them to learn.” (p. 151) Parents of children with disabilities that require specialized education and want to “mainstream their children find themselves fighting with school districts over this policy. It is important to understand that children learn quickly from modeling after other children. “Mainstreaming” children with intellectual disabilities teaches them unwritten social skills they cannot possibly learn from written instruction. Mainstreaming also teaches non-disabled children compassion, respect and helps them build new relationships. For more on this article see: What is Least Restrictive Environment(LRE)?