By Lateefah S. Williams, Esq.
I’m going to set the scene. You’re in school, sitting next to your best friend during science class. You both get the same lesson and may even help each other out. Now imagine if one day your friend was told he couldn’t be in your class anymore because he has a disability. That doesn’t seem right, does it?
That’s where inclusion and the idea of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) come in. These two ideas are extremely important in special education, as they help make sure students with disabilities have the opportunity to learn alongside everyone else whenever possible.
What’s Inclusion?
Inclusion means that students with disabilities are taught in the same classrooms as their peers without disabilities. They are not left on their own. Rather, they’re supported with tools, teaching strategies, and extra help, among other techniques, so they can succeed in a general education classroom.
For example, a student with ADHD might sit near the front of the class, use noise canceling earphones to avoid distractions, use a special timer to stay on task, take breaks when needed, or get additional time on a test. A student with dyslexia might use audiobooks instead of reading long paragraphs, have a note taker during lectures, or receive previews of new material. These supports help make learning fair. Note, they don’t make it “easier,” they add accommodations to level the playing field.
What’s the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?
The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a federal law that ensures students with disabilities are given a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that caters to their unique needs. IDEA says students with disabilities should learn in the least restrictive environment possible. That means they should be in general education classrooms as much as they can and should only be in stand-alone special education classrooms if general education truly doesn’t meet their needs.
The idea is to start with inclusion and only move to more restrictive settings if necessary. Sometimes, a student might need to spend part of the day in a small group or special education classroom, but the goal is always to give them chances to be included in general education classes and activities whenever possible.
Why Inclusion Matters
When students with and without disabilities learn together, everyone benefits.
- Students with disabilities get to be part of their school community.
- Students with disabilities learn from their peers and build friendships.
- Other students learn empathy, patience, and how to work with different kinds of people.
Teachers also get better at using strategies that help all students, not just those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Inclusion Doesn’t Mean “One Size Fits All”
Every student is different. Inclusion doesn’t mean forcing all students into the same classroom without support. It means meeting students where they are and helping them grow and learn to the maximum extent possible, based on their abilities.
That might include:
- A co-teacher who works alongside the main teacher.
- Speech or occupational therapists who come into the classroom.
- Modified assignments that fit the student’s goals.
Inclusion isn’t just about where a student learns. It’s about belonging. When schools believe in every student’s potential and give them the right tools to succeed, amazing things can happen.
Let’s keep pushing for classrooms that welcome everyone because all students deserve to learn and shine together.
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