How Educational Placement Is Determined
When a student becomes eligible for special education services, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team develops a written plan for that student. This plan will include information about educational goals, services, supports and accommodations and will identify who is responsible for assessing the student in reaching each goal. Additionally, the plan will identify the educational setting where the student will receive these services. Least restrictive environment (LRE) is an important concept to understand when a team is determining how to meet the educational needs of a student. LRE means that the IEP team should design educational supports and services, so the student can be educated in the general education environment with their peers, to the maximum extent appropriate/possible. The IEP team should provide documentation and justification whenever education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Following is a description of possible service options for students, which is captured in the LRE grid and service delivery statement:
Direct Services
Direct special education and/or related services are those services provided directly to the student in a one-on-one, small group, or large group setting by:
An appropriately CDE-licensed and endorsed special education teacher or special education related services provider;
A paraprofessional under the supervision of an appropriately licensed and endorsed special education teacher or related services provider;
A speech language pathology assistant (SLPA) under the supervision of a CDE-licensed speech language pathologist who holds a national certification. SLPAs must possess a credentialing authorization from the CDE.
Indirect Services
Indirect services are those provided by special education staff and/or related service providers on behalf of a student, but not directly to the student. These services could be delivered to educators (who are appropriately licensed, endorsed, or authorized), parents/guardians, and other agencies by a qualified special education teacher or related service provider. Indirect services may also include time spent by these professionals modifying materials.
Least Restrictive Environment
Least Restrictive Environment means that: (1) To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled; and (2) Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the general educational environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in general educational classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
Specialized Programs in the District or in Another District
In some cases, it is not reasonable to provide the support required by the student in a general education classroom. In these instances, the appropriate educational placement for an individual student may necessitate that the student be transported by the school district to another neighborhood school. In some instances, the student’s needs may be so specialized that the student may be transported by the school district to a school or facility in a neighboring school district.