The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) has been a cornerstone of federal special education law for five decades. Rooted in the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and solidified by the 1975 EHA (now IDEA), LRE requires that students with disabilities are educated alongside their non-disabled peers whenever possible, with supplementary aids and services.

This video breaks down the LRE Continuum and the "carrot or stick" system that holds states accountable to IDEA. We then dive into a vital discussion: How do traditional deaf schools fit into this framework? With deaf schools dwindling, can we envision a transformation that creates truly inclusive deaf schools, redefining their place on the LRE continuum and fostering richer educational experiences for deaf students? Let's explore the possibilities.

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