According to the LRE requirements in the IDEA, what must school districts ensure for students with disabilities?

The principle of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) emphasizes that students with disabilities should be educated in the most inclusive setting possible. This means that school districts are required to integrate students with disabilities alongside their peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate. The focus is on ensuring that these students are not unnecessarily segregated from their peers, which fosters social interaction, inclusion, and equal opportunities in the educational environment.

This concept highlights the belief that participation in general education settings can benefit students with disabilities both academically and socially, promoting their overall development. Therefore, the requirement for districts under the LRE mandates a commitment to inclusive practices and support systems that enable students with disabilities to thrive within general education classrooms, provided that their individual needs can be met adequately in those settings.