What is the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?
This term appears in the language of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) formerly known as The Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142). This term, known as LRE, applies to the placement of special education eligible students in the educational environment which least restricts their interactions with students not identified as eligible. For most students, this would be an age-appropriate classroom in the school (s)he would attend if not identified as eligible for special education. Moving to a more restrictive placement can only be done where there is documentation that the student’s needs cannot be met in the general education classroom with necessary aids and supports.
Related Questions
- Have federal legal provisions with respect to the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) mandate in IDEA changed in recent years? Have they changed significantly in any other ways?
- How will children be placed in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) if there is no Pre-K program?
- What is LRE or Least Restrictive Environment?
