Least Restrictive Environment

Least Restrictive Environment

The placement of students in appropriate settings within the least restrictive environment is an integral part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  The Ramapo Indian Hills School District provides a continuum of placement options available to all students with disabilities.  When determining placement, the Child Study Team adheres to the following guidelines:

  • To the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with students who are non-disabled;
  • Special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the general education classroom occurs only when the nature or severity of the educational disability is such that the student is unable to satisfactorily access the curriculum with the use of supplementary aides and services, or when the student’s disability results in harmful effects to the education of other students;  
  • To the maximum extent appropriate, each child with a disability has the opportunity to participate with non-disabled children in non-academic and extracurricular services and activities.

In addition, every effort is made to educate each student with disabilities as close to home as possible, and in the same school he or she would attend if not disabled, unless the Individualized Education Program (IEP) specifies an alternate placement.

When making decisions regarding placement in general education, consideration is given to the following factors:

  • Whether the student can be educated satisfactorily in a general education classroom with supplementary aides and services;
  • A comparison of the benefits provided in a general education classroom and the benefits provided in a special education class is considered; and
  • The potentially beneficial or harmful effects which a placement may have on the student with educational disabilities or the other students in the class is considered.

 The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District ensures that to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities, through 21, are educated with non- disabled students, and participate in non-academic and extracurricular activities with non-disabled students.