The Least Restrictive Environment Meets the Individual Education Program: LRE Vs. IEP

"The laws require states to develop procedures for educating each child in the least restrictive placement - a setting that is as normal as possible" (Woolfolk, 2005, p. 117). It seems odd that one of the biggest hurdles facing the educational system in America is the legal requirement that all children must be taught in as normal a setting as possible. Every child must be part of a mainstream classroom rather than segregated into separate classes for students with physical disabilities or varying language skills. How can Educators teach classrooms filled with diverse populations of learners?

Generally, school administrators and teachers have solved the problem of teaching students with varying levels of educational and physical abilities by segregating the students into communities with similar abilities. Again, this probably seemed like a good idea at the time but the system had a fatal flaw. Evaluative methods vary from district to district and some students were placed in programs that did not match their skill level. Also, teaching children at their respective skill level seems logical until the realization dawns that every child will graduate one day. All children will eventually leave the public education system and enter the workforce. Teaching multiple sets of skill levels seems almost absurd when viewed in light of the fact that those kids who lack or are not taught basic skills will probably be unable to find basic jobs.