So Many Terms. So Little Time.
Every service, disability, therapy, and resource seems to have some clunky acronym represent it. Here's an ever-growing list of terms and services you'll hear and read about the most when navigating the world of special needs care. You can search by letter or by using the search bar below.
LEA stands for Local Education Agency. Basically it's a another way of referring to the 'school district'. In an IEP meeting, the LEA is the representative of the school district that referred the student to special education services, and pays for them.
When you see LEA Representative on an invitation for your child's IEP, it basically refers to one of the licensed professionals at your child's school who knows your child and is knowledgeable of the IEP process.
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.