For complete data coding and reporting directions see Technical Assistance Bulletin 9B, Placement Determination of Preschool Students with Disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment.
Nebraska’s flow chart, A Decision Tree for Coding Educational Environment, illustrates the key decision points in documenting LRE placement for preschool age children with disabilities.
Documenting placement for children with disabilities, 3- 5 years old, in the least restrictive environment
The criteria for OSEP documentation of the LRE setting for preschool age children with disabilities focus on:
1. Participation in a regular early childhood education program.
- A regular early childhood education program is any early childhood program in which at least 50% of the children are not identified as disabled (do not have IEPs).
- A special education program is a separate special education class, separate school or residential facility.
2. Where the majority (more than 50%) of special education and related services are provided.
- Children who receive their special education and related services in regular early childhood programs are counted separately from children who receive special education and related services in other locations e.g., special education classroom, home or residential facility.
