Inclusion vs. Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) does not explicitly use the term "inclusion." However, it mandates that school districts place students in the least restrictive environment (LRE). LRE requires that, to the greatest extent appropriate, students with disabilities should be educated in regular classrooms with their nondisabled peers, using appropriate aids and supports, unless the student's individualized education program (IEP) specifies a different arrangement. This necessitates a personalized assessment of each student's unique educational needs to determine the necessary range of aids and supports.
When implementing IDEA's LRE provisions, the first placement option considered for each disabled student is the regular classroom in the school they would attend if not disabled. If a student can be satisfactorily educated in this setting with appropriate aids and supports, then this placement is deemed the LRE. However, if the placement team determines that a student cannot be satisfactorily educated in this environment, even with appropriate aids and supports, then the regular classroom is not considered the LRE for that student. Any alternative placement must maximize opportunities for the student to interact with nondisabled peers to the extent appropriate to the student's needs.
Maya Murphy P.C. has proudly been included in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked among the top firms in the nation. In addition, Managing Partner Joseph C. Maya has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for his work in Employment Law and Education Law in Connecticut. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is awarded to firms and attorneys who demonstrate excellence in the industry and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor.
Our firm in Westport, Connecticut serves clients with legal assistance all over the state, including the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Branford, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Cheshire, Danbury, Darien, Derby, East Haven, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Monroe, Naugatuck, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Haven, Newton, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Redding, Ridgefield, Seymour, Shelton, Sherman, Southbury, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and Woodbridge. In addition to assisting clients in Connecticut, our firm handles education law matters in New York as well.
If you have any questions or would like to speak to an attorney about a legal matter, please contact Joseph C. Maya and the other experienced attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or JMaya@Mayalaw.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.