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Again, it is so important to be in communication and collaboration with the school. This includes attending all meetings regarding your child, being apart of the IEP team and making decisions, contact general education teachers and special education teachers as often as possible, and ask questions at anytime. IDEA allows the parent to be as involved as possible and gives the parent access to important information regarding their child's plans and records.

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About idea. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (2022, November 7). https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/

Appropriate evaluation (ETR). (n.d.). https://www.sst6.org/EvaluationTeamReportETR.aspx#:~:text=An%20appropriate%20evaluation%20provides%20information,educational%20needs%20of%20the%20child.

Morin, A. (2023, June 15). What is least restrictive environment?. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/least-restrictive-environment-lre-what-you-need-to-know

Procedural safeguards notice. Office for Dispute Resolution. (2023, May 24). https://odr-pa.org/parent-resources/procedural-safeguards-notice/#:~:text=The%20Procedural%20Safeguards%20Notice%20describes,to%20as%20%E2%80%9CIDEA%202004%E2%80%9D.

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IDEA is meant to provide children with the best education and opportunities to help them grow, learn, and thrive day-to-day. It is created to ensure children are receiving free education as well as appropriate services and resources to help them progress in all aspects of life. The laws it enforces is to protect the children with disabilities and their families, and establish plans to meet every child's needs to help them succeed.

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Procedural due processes or safeguards describe the rights of a parent who has a child with disabilities and how those rights are protected under state and federal special education law. Safeguards protect and allow parents to the information of pertaining their child's placement and planning. They have the access to review all educational records and the right to request mediation or due process hearings if disagreements form.

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Procedural Safeguards Notice - Office for Dispute Resolution

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The Procedural Safeguards Notice The Procedural Safeguards Notice describes the rights of a parent of a child with a disability and the procedures that safeguard those rights under state and federal special education law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, commonly referred to as "IDEA 2004".

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Parent and student participation is vital in the success of planning, carrying out instructions and monitoring. Parents are to be a part of the team that makes decisions regarding their child and the placements, services, and plans for them. They have an equal right to participate in this process and are entitled to know when things such as evaluations and assessments are taking place for their child. Both the student and parents must receive notice and an invitation to the IEP meetings.

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The least restrictive environment is a motive to keep children in the same classroom as other kids their age as much as possible. Every child is different so LRE looks different for everyone, but the goal is to keep the child with disabilities in the general education classroom to associate with peers who do not have disabilities.

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At a glance

Least restrictive environment (LRE) means kids who get special education should be in the same classrooms as other kids as much as possible.

LRE isn't a place - it's a principle that guides a child's education program.

The LRE for each child may look different because kids are unique.

When people think about special education, they sometimes think about separate classes or schools. But public schools are supposed to have kids who get special education services learn in the same classrooms as other kids as much as possible.

Unless there's a strong reason, kids should be in those general education classrooms. This principle is called LRE, or least restrictive environment. LRE is an important part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the U.S. special education law.

The word environment makes it sound like a place. But where a child learns is only part of the equation. LRE applies to a student's entire education program, including services.

A student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) describes their special education and related services. The IEP must also address LRE. And the IEP must explain if and why a student is being placed outside of a general education classroom.

Dive deeper

What the law says about LRE

How LRE works in practice

About the author

About the author

Amanda Morin is the author of "The Everything Parent's Guide to Special Education" and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Andrew M.I. Lee, JD is an editor and attorney who strives to help people understand complex legal, education, and parenting issues.

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Least restrictive environment, or LRE, means a child who gets special education should learn alongside general education peers as much as possible. Learn more.

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An IEP is a written plan for children with disabilities that addresses multiple topics with the goal of helping the student progress academically, physically, and emotionally. An IEP includes special education instruction, supports, and services. The components of an IEP are the child's present levels of performance, statement of measurable goals, related services, special education needs, modifications and accommodations, transition plan, and how progress will be monitored.

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IDEA requires that an appropriate evaluation is conducted for each child that is suspected to have a disability. These evaluations are to be done in all areas of a suspected disability, by an educated and trained team, and with variety of materials and procedures. An appropriate evaluation will provide information that will be used to determine a child's eligibility for special education and related services to meet the educational needs of a child.

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IDEA requires that each child suspected of having a disability receive an appropriate evaluation:

In all areas of suspected disability.

By a team of evaluators knowledgeable and trained in the use of the tests and other evaluation materials they use.

Employing a variety of sound evaluation materials and procedures selected and administered so as not to be racially or culturally discriminatory.

Without subjecting a child to unnecessary tests and assessments.

Including the gathering of relevant information from a variety of sources.

Based on information that is useful instructionally in planning for the child's education.

An appropriate evaluation provides information to be used to determine the child's eligibility for special education and related services and the educational needs of the child.

An Evaluation Team Report (ETR) is created by the evaluation team and is a summary of the findings from an initial evaluation or a reevaluation.

The written ETR shall include the following points:

1. A summary of information obtained during the evaluation process.

2. The names, titles, and signatures of each team member, including the parent, and an indication of whether or not they are in agreement with the eligibility determination.

* Any member not in agreement must submit a statement of disagreement.

3. The school district must provide a copy of the ETR and the documentation of eligibility or continued eligibility to the parents prior to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting and in

no case later than fourteen days from the date of eligibility determination.

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IDEA requires that each child suspected of having a disability receive an appropriate evaluation: In all areas of suspected disability. By a team of evaluators knowledgeable and trained in the use of the tests and other evaluation materials they use.

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1. Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE)

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1. Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE)

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FAPE is a regulation under Section 504 that requires school districts to provide a free appropriate education to individuals that have a disability regardless of severity of the person's disability. Any person who has a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more life activities or has a record of an impairment defines a person with a disability. Adjusted education in general classrooms, use of related aids or services, or special education in separate classrooms are all appropriate educations for individuals that are included under FAPE.

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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, is a law that enforces a free and appropriate public education to students with disabilities through the United States. This law ensures that children with disabilities are also receiving the resources and services they need to be successful. It begins with infants and toddlers, birth through 2 years old, receiving early intervention under IDEA Part C and children ages 3 to 21 receiving special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

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The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 8 million (as of school year 2022-23) eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

Infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, with disabilities and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

Additionally, the IDEA authorizes:

Formula grants to states to support special education and related services and early intervention services.

Discretionary grants to state educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other nonprofit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology development, personnel preparation and development, and parent-training and -information centers.

Congress reauthorized the IDEA in 2004 and most recently amended the IDEA through Public Law 114-95, the Every Student Succeeds Act, in December 2015.

In the law, Congress states:

Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.

Other Laws for Children with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) provides additional resources of interest for individuals with disabilities and their families.

OCR does not enforce the IDEA; however, OCR does enforce the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II rights of IDEA-eligible students with disabilities.

To learn more, visit the OCR's Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.

Visit OCR's website for additional resources.

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About IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

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The IDEA is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.