Examining One State’s LRE Data: Have We Reached the Ceiling?

• In Event: Division D Graduate Student in Progress Research Gala

Abstract

The current study seeks to examine the variability in placement of students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment and what factors (i.e. socioeconomic status, race, disability category) might correlate this variability. Preliminary findings indicate several factors correlated positively with placement in the most restrictive, setting with a significance of .01. These factors include more minority students in a district, more Black students with IEPs, and more students categorized with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities. Further, a negative correlation with significance of .01 was associated with a higher percentage of students with severe intellectual disability and placement in the least restrictive environment.

Author

• Somer Matthews, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro