Examples Of Least Restrictive Environment

1. What does the term “least restrictive environment” mean when applied to education for exceptional children? Provide an example to support your explanation.
Least restrictive environment means giving any student the opportunity to learn with the same age students to the maximum degree of the student’s capabilities. Every student should be given the same opportunities to learn and exceptional students are not unlike any other students. These students should not be unnecessarily removed from the classroom or isolated from other students in the building. Least restrictive environment focuses on the student’s individual needs and understands that it isn’t a cookie cutter system.
The Individuals with Disabilities Act requires schools to maintain services ranging from general education classrooms to more specialized areas focusing on the student’s needs. At Audubon Elementary we have many rooms throughout the building that meet certain needs for individualized educational programs. Our school is set up with a special needs room for students who need one on one attention as well as behavior rooms. We also have specific areas of the building that students who need time to self-evaluate their behavior, have the opportunity to not be bothered.
My example for this explanation is a boy in my class who has an IEP for behavior, reading, and math.
David has mental issues stemming from his father’s suicide committed right in front of him. He has times when he talks to himself in the third person. I have learned how David functions and work with him when he needs a few minutes for a time out in the hallway. David started in the behavior room at the beginning of the school year. He is now earning back time in my room by completing days without any office referrals. David is an interesting student who enjoys being in my room and we have formed a bond. He enjoys when I challenge him to complete his work. He is a very competitive student in third
grade.

2. Indicate the purpose of an individualized education program (IEP) and explain why it is not appropriate to make a placement decision for a student before an IEP has been written for that student. Provide an example to clarify your explanation.
The purpose of and individualized education program is to have a team of professionals collaborating to come up with a specific strategy for an informative sequence of learning that centers on the development of the learner in any general education classroom. I currently work with my special education, behavior, speech, and nurses in my building when it comes to evaluation of an individualized education program. The team meets every semester with the parents of the student to go over progress/regression of the goals set. Input by all members is recorded and each attendee is required to sign the documentation.
There are many considerations to be made by numerous individuals before an IEP is considered. Therefore, it is not appropriate to make a placement decision for a student before an IEP has been written. After all of the professionals have discussed and collaborated about the best direction for a student, parents still need to consider the process. Parents may and sometimes do not sign the individualized education program documentation.
During my first year at Audubon Elementary I was introduced to a boy whose name is Tanner. Tanner was a student who I immediately was concerned about. On the third day of school, Tanner over turned every desk in my room, slammed every chair, and ripped every bulletin board off my classroom walls before any help could come to my aid. After careful consideration and sixty five days of documentation of behavior, I was able to collaborate with many departments in order to create an individualized educational program which helps Tanner to perform at his best. He monitors his behavior in my classroom and we discuss his results before he leaves. Tanner has done an outstanding job at achieving his goals. I believe the structure and monitoring of his behavior has made him more successful in my class.