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Key Takeaways:

• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) emphasizes educating students with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers as much as possible, focusing on how to support them in inclusive settings.
• Before considering a more restrictive placement, schools must first try supplementary aids, supports, and services to ensure students can succeed in general education environments.
• Challenging behaviors should be seen as opportunities for support and growth within inclusive settings, not reasons for exclusion.

Highlights from the Handout:

Julie’s Favorite:

• Utilizing Material Supports: The story of Mark’s success with a key to the art room illustrates how simple material support can empower a student to lead and participate meaningfully in their environment.

Kristie’s Favorite:

• Prioritizing Diverse and Inclusive-Minded Leadership: Hiring leaders, educators, and paraprofessionals who are both inclusive-minded and bring a range of experiences to support an inclusive culture effectively is crucial.

Practical Tips:

(7:54) “This handout gives you everything you should and have to try before even considering removing a student into a resource room or into a separate self-contained classroom.”

(12:17) “When someone says distraction is a reason to exclude a child, it's not a justifiable reason because benefiting from a small group is common for most kids.”