Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Removal from general education should only occur when the nature or severity of the disability makes it impossible to achieve satisfactory results even with supplementary aids and services.
Key Rights
- ✓Students with disabilities have the right to be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate
- ✓Removal from general education must be justified by the student's individual needs
- ✓Schools must consider a full continuum of placement options
- ✓Parents must be involved in placement decisions
- ✓Placement must be reviewed at least annually
School Responsibilities
- Consider the full continuum of placement options
- Provide supplementary aids and services before removing a student from general education
- Document why a less restrictive placement is not appropriate
- Ensure placement is as close to the student's home school as possible
- Review placement at each annual IEP meeting
Federal Law
IDEA, 20 U.S.C. § 1412(a)(5). Schools must ensure that students with disabilities are educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. A continuum of alternative placements must be available.
California Law
CA SpecificCalifornia Education Code § 56031. California mirrors federal LRE requirements. The IEP team must document why a less restrictive placement is not appropriate and what supplementary aids and services were considered.
What Parents Can Do
- 1Ask the IEP team to explain why a particular placement was chosen
- 2Request that supplementary aids and services be tried before a more restrictive placement
- 3Disagree with placement and request mediation or due process
- 4Visit proposed placement settings before consenting
- 5Request data on how the placement decision was made
Educational Information Only
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations may change. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified education law attorney.