Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is a federal law requirement that says students with disabilities should learn alongside students without disabilities, to the maximum extent appropriate. They should only be moved to special education classrooms if, even with extra help and support, they cannot succeed in general education classes.^[1]

1. 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1412(a)(5)(A); 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.114.[↩]