Module 3: Creating the Least Restrictive Environment through UDL

Objectives

• Understand what the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is
• Understand the difference between modifications and accommodations
• Learn about how UDL can help proactively make optional accommodations available to all learners to meet them where they are

Video & Transcript

• Video Introduction
• Transcript

Introduction

You may have heard the term “least restrictive environment” (LRE) being used by your child’s educators. The least restrictive environment is the location where students can learn at their best, have access to what they need, and be close to their peers. It is a warm, safe and welcoming place. It is law for children to learn in the least restrictive environment. As educators, our goal is for the general education classroom to be the least restrictive environment.

Too often, students do not make progress in general education classrooms because they simply do not have what they need academically, behaviorally or socially and emotionally. UDL can help educators eliminate barriers to all students being successful in the general education classroom by being much more flexible about the pathways that students have access to in order to learn at their highest levels.

If your child has an IEP, you'll see that there are accommodations and/or modifications that teachers must use to make the learning environment more accessible to your child. Many of the accommodations listed in IEPs are really good practices for all learners, not just students with IEPs, so your child’s teacher may make accommodations available as options to all learners. As a note, this is not intended to reduce the rigor of the lesson, but to support students where they are to ensure that they can learn at high levels.  

A modification is a little bit different than an accommodation and should only be provided to your student when specified in the IEP. In most cases, modifications are designed by the special education teacher for a general education teacher to implement. This is specially designed instruction where the goal or the methodology is modified so the student can access what they need in a specially designed way.

Universal Design for Learning and specially designed instruction work together so that educators can create classrooms where all students get what they need when they need it so they can be educated with their peers.

Discussion Prompts

• Explain what the least restrictive environment and why it is important for children to have access to the least restrictive environment available.
• How can you work with your child’s teacher(s) to make sure that your child is in the least restrictive environment?

Resources

Please read, watch or listen to at least two of the resources below to better understand how UDL may be implemented in your child’s classroom to ensure the general education classroom is the LRE.

Self-Assessment