Least Restrictive Environment

Least restrictive environment means that placement of students with disabilities in special classes, separate schools and other removal from the general educational environment occurs only when the nature of severity of the disability is such that, even with the use of supplementary aids and services, education cannot be satisfactorily achieved.  The placement of an individual student with a disability in the least restrictive environment shall:

• Provide the special education needed by the student;
• Provide for the education of the student to the maximum extent appropriate to the needs of the student with other students who do not have disabilities; and
• Be as close as possible to the student’s home.
• If the student can be educated satisfactorily in the general education classroom, with aids and services, then that is the student’s LRE.