NC 1500-2.23 Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Plain English summary

This regulation defines Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) as the requirement that children with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Removal from the regular educational environment is only permissible when the nature of the disability prevents satisfactory education in regular classes even with supplementary aids and services.

Key requirements

• to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities shall be educated with children who are not disabled
• special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature of the disability is such that education in the regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily

Affected parties

• children with disabilities
• students without disabilities
• special education administrators
• IEP teams
• local education agencies
• classroom teachers
• special education teachers

Official source

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/documents/publications/catalog/ec144-policies-governing-services/open#page=15