Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is a requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for all children, including preschool children with disabilities. Because providing preschool classes is not a requirement for local education agencies, finding natural environments for preschool-aged children with disabilities to receive special education services can be a challenge for school districts.
LRE Solutions
Some possible solutions to this challenge include partnerships with Title I Prekindergarten programs, Head Start, and community-based childcare facilities. Title I programs are open to students who meet the income guidelines for eligibility (students with disabilities who do not qualify can also be included if they do not take away a slot from an eligible student). Head Start programs have a mandate that 10% of the students they serve must be students with disabilities. Community-based childcare centers can enter into agreements with local school districts in which training, personnel, and equipment can be exchanged for slots and/or tuition for children with disabilities.
Best Practices Statewide Project
Region 20 has a special mandate from the state as a decentralized function to address LRE issues. This year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has asked Region 20 to continue a special statewide project to promote best practices in the area of Preschool LRE issues. Last year, four districts in Region 20 and many more across the state were chosen to be a part of this effort. Because of this project, many new placements were created and/or improved that allowed preschool children with disabilities access to the general curriculum in a natural environment with typically developing peers. This year, Region 20 would like to open the process to all interested districts in the region.
