California Department of Education
Taking Center Stage – Act II

Least restrictive environment (LRE)

By federal law, special education students have a right to be educated with their same-age peers to the maximum extent possible according to the regulations on least restrictive environment (LRE). In California's standards-based system and under the No Child Left Behind Act, educators must have high expectations for all students, and those students must be prepared to participate in the state’s accountability system.

In the Spotlight

Rincon Middle School, Escondido Union Elementary School District
Rincon is a CalSTAT (Technical Assistance and Training) Leadership site because of its seven-year commitment to including special education students in regular classrooms.

To help schools provide equal access to the least restrictive environments, California Department of Education funds the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Resources Project (Outside Source). Resources, training, videos, and consultants are available through the project.

Related Links

 

Previous
Response to intervention and special education

Next
Gifted students

Back to Top