What legislation would you reference to support the least restrictive environment for students?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the legislation that most directly supports the concept of least restrictive environment (LRE) for students with disabilities. Under IDEA, schools are required to provide special education services in the least restrictive environment possible, which means that students with disabilities should have the opportunity to learn alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. This principle emphasizes that students should be placed in general education settings, integrated as much as possible, while still receiving the necessary support tailored to their individual needs.

IDEA mandates that schools develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each eligible student, outlining the specific services and accommodations required to support their learning while promoting inclusion. The focus on the least restrictive environment ensures that students are not unnecessarily segregated and can benefit from interactions with their peers, which fosters social skills and academic growth.

While other legislation, such as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), addresses broader civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities, and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) deals with student privacy rights, they do not specifically focus on educational placements. No Child Left Behind (NCLB) aimed to improve educational outcomes for all students but did not specifically advocate for the least restrictive environment in the