What does "least restrictive environment" refer to?

The concept of "least restrictive environment" (LRE) is rooted in the idea that students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Therefore, LRE refers to the educational setting that allows for the greatest possible inclusion of students with disabilities alongside their peers without disabilities while still meeting their individual needs.

Education in a fully inclusive classroom (the second choice) is a common interpretation of LRE; however, LRE does not exclusively mean full inclusion in every case. It is more about finding the right balance and ensuring that the educational setting is appropriate for the individual student's needs. This means that while the goal is often to include students with disabilities in general education settings, there may be circumstances where specific supports or different environments may be needed for some students to thrive academically and socially.

The notion that LRE represents education isolated from peers with disabilities, as well as education in a special school for disabilities, runs counter to the fundamental principles of this concept, which emphasizes inclusion and appropriate accommodations rather than separation. Thus, the appropriate understanding of LRE includes the idea of being educated alongside students who do not have disabilities when it is suitable for the individual student's learning and developmental needs.