General Education
General Education with Support
As the parent, you have the option of an inclusive classroom, where your child would learn alongside their peers in the general education setting with support and accommodations as needed. This approach can promote social interaction and access to the same curriculum as their classmates, with assistance from special education staff.
What is an inclusive classroom?
It is a general education setting where students with and without disabilities learn together. In this environment, students who have special needs are supported with accommodations, modifications, and sometimes additional staff (like a special education teacher or aide) to help them access the same curriculum as their peers.
Inclusion is not about placing a child in a classroom without support—it’s about creating a learning environment where every student can participate, contribute, and succeed in ways that work best for them. This might mean using different teaching strategies, offering visual aids or assistive technology, giving extra time for assignments, or providing social and behavioral supports.
The goal of an inclusive classroom is to:
- Promote social interaction and friendships with peers.
- Encourage high expectations for all students.
- Foster a sense of belonging and community.
- Help children with disabilities learn in the least restrictive environment, as required by law (IDEA).
An inclusive classroom values diversity and focuses on what each child can do, building on their strengths while addressing their needs.
Not a Place - A Principal
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is a key principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It means that children with disabilities should receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate, alongside children who do not have disabilities. LRE is about inclusion—making sure that children with disabilities are not unnecessarily separated from their peers. Special education services and supports should be provided in settings that are as typical and inclusive as possible, while still meeting the child’s individual needs.
What Does LRE Look Like?
LRE can look different for each child, depending on their strengths and support needs. Examples include:
- A general education classroom with support services (like a speech therapist or classroom aide)
- A blended or inclusive preschool, with children with and without disabilities learning together
- A special education classroom, if that’s the most appropriate setting for the child
- A combination of both (e.g., time in both a general education and a special education setting)
Why LRE Matters
- Promotes social development and peer relationships
- Encourages high expectations for all children
- Ensures children have access to the same curriculum and experiences as their peers
- Is legally required under IDEA unless a more restrictive setting is necessary to meet the child's needs
- Inclusive preschool options exist—some supported by public schools, others in the community.
- Supports can exist outside of an IEP, such as through Section 504 plans, private therapy, or community programs.