Least restrictive environment (lre) & service delivery
What is the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?
The least restrictive environment is the setting in which a student with can have his or her special educational needs met. They should learn with their typically developing peers to the extent that it is most appropriate. There is a spectrum of least restrictive environments so that every individual student can learn in the environment that is most beneficial to him or her. This spectrum ranges from the general education classroom to receiving special education services in the home or hospital.
Concerning the LRE, the IDEA stipulates:
each public agency must ensure that--
(i) 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 nondisabled; and
(ii) Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. [§300.114(a] (Center for Parent Information and Resources 2014).
What is the purpose of the LRE?
The LRE helps to individualize the education plans of students with disabilities. Even if two students have the same disability, the least restrictive environment determined for that student may very likely be different (Heward 2009). The LRE provides positive outcomes in the education of students with disabilities. It plays an important role in determining where a child spends his or her time, how services are to be provided as well as the relationship the child forms with other people (Center for Parent Information and Resources 2014).
LRE Examples
See the continuum of alternative placements for students with disabilities in the chart below.
Correia, M. and Martins, A. (2000). The state of the Art of Inclusion in Portugal. Retrieved from
http://www.isec2000.org.uk/abstracts/papers_c/correia_1.htm
The least restrictive environment is the setting in which a student with can have his or her special educational needs met. They should learn with their typically developing peers to the extent that it is most appropriate. There is a spectrum of least restrictive environments so that every individual student can learn in the environment that is most beneficial to him or her. This spectrum ranges from the general education classroom to receiving special education services in the home or hospital.
Concerning the LRE, the IDEA stipulates:
each public agency must ensure that--
(i) 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 nondisabled; and
(ii) Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. [§300.114(a] (Center for Parent Information and Resources 2014).
What is the purpose of the LRE?
The LRE helps to individualize the education plans of students with disabilities. Even if two students have the same disability, the least restrictive environment determined for that student may very likely be different (Heward 2009). The LRE provides positive outcomes in the education of students with disabilities. It plays an important role in determining where a child spends his or her time, how services are to be provided as well as the relationship the child forms with other people (Center for Parent Information and Resources 2014).
LRE Examples
See the continuum of alternative placements for students with disabilities in the chart below.
Correia, M. and Martins, A. (2000). The state of the Art of Inclusion in Portugal. Retrieved from
http://www.isec2000.org.uk/abstracts/papers_c/correia_1.htm
What is service delivery?
Service delivery describes the specific details about services that children with disabilities will receive.
What is the purpose of service delivery?
Service delivery answers the following questions about services in the IEP:
How often will the child receive the services (number of times daily or weekly)?
How long will each session last (specified in minutes)?
Where will services be provided? In an general education classroom or another setting like a resource room?
When will services end and begin?
Service Delivery Example
(New York State Education Department 2011)
Special Education Program/Services: Consultation Teacher Services
Service Delivery Recommendations: Direct and Indirect
Frequency: 2 days/week
Duration: 40 minutes
Location: math class
Projected Beginning Service date (s): 9/7/10