LRE is part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA says that children who receive special education should learn in the least restrictive environment. This means they should spend as much time as possible with peers who do not receive special education.

IDEA says two things about LRE that are important to understand when working with the IEP team:

1. Your child should be with kids in general education to the “maximum extent that is appropriate.”
2. Special classes, separate schools or removal from the general education class should only happen when your child’s learning or attention issue—his “disability” under IDEA—is so severe that supplementary aids and services can’t provide him with an appropriate education. 

A key word here is “appropriate.” It refers to what’s suitable or right for your child. Sometimes, putting a child in a general education classroom isn’t suitable because a specific service or program can’t be provided there.