STUDENTS 5140

Least Restrictive Environment

The Board of Education encourages and supports, to the maximum extent possible, that students with special needs (including children in public or private institutions) are educated with students who are not handicapped. Special classes, separate schooling, or removal of special needs children from their home school should occur only when the nature or the severity of the handicap is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplemental aides and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

The following statements indicate the Manchester Board of Education's position on least restrictive environment (LRE):

1. All special needs children will be educated in an appropriate environment.

2. The majority of special needs students can be educated in regular school settings.

3. Special needs students shall be educated to the maximum extent possible in the regular education program.

4. All students shall be in age-appropriate environments.

5. All students shall be educated at a location as close to their home as possible.

6. All education departments must unite to share the responsibility of educating students.

7. LRE options must exist beginning with regular education and ending with residential placement.

8. All decisions relative to placement in the least restrictive environment will be made through the Planning and Placement Team process as outlined by state and federal statute.

Adopted: February 26, 1990