Read the article entitled, “Where to Evaluate Rachel Holland? Does Least Restrictive Environment Mean No Restrictions?”
Read the article entitled, “Where to Evaluate Rachel Holland? Does Least Restrictive Environment Mean No Restrictions?”
Assignment
Case Analysis: Sacramento City School Board of Education v. Rachel H.
This assignment assesses your ability to:
- Evaluate how the foundations of the legal concept Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) currently influence students and educators in classrooms in the United States, and
- Summarize how the IDEA legislation can promote a collaborative decision-making process about special education placement and services in the United States.
This assignment also supports your achievement of Course Learning Outcome 4, 6, and 7 and the MASE Program Learning Outcome 1, 4, 5, 6, and 8.
The parents of Rachel Holland, an 11-year old girl, wanted their daughter educated in a general classroom with her non-disabled peers. Rachel was labeled as “mentally retarded” (Intellectually Disabled), with an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of 44. The school district proposed an alternative schedule where she would attend separate, self-contained classes for the academic subjects and participate in non-academic classes with her non-disabled peers. Rachel’s parents were not satisfied with this option so they enrolled her in a private school while they sought mediation (Kids Together, Inc., 2010).
This dispute, which became a major court case, is based on how the concept of the “Least Restrictive Environment” is defined and interpreted as intended by the IDEA. According to legislation:
The maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities… are educated with children who are not disabled and special classes [or] separate schooling… [only] occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability… is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. (U.S. Department of Education, n.d., para A)
Rachel’s parents believed that educating their daughter in the general classroom, with her non-disabled peers, was her least restrictive environment. The school felt that they could not satisfactorily meet her needs even with supplementary aids and services. Your required reading for this week describes the details of the case, the findings of the court and how this case has impacted the reasonable attempts that educators must make to place students with disabilities in fully inclusive settings to ensure their success.
Having heard unclear information through the school gossip chain, some of the teachers at your school have expressed questions regarding the issue of LRE. Since you have become a source of information your principal has requested that your make a presentation to the teachers at the next staff meeting.
Instructions
Read the article entitled, “Where to Evaluate Rachel Holland? Does Least Restrictive Environment Mean No Restrictions?” (DeMitchell & Kearns, 1997) which is accessible from the EBSCOhost database. Using support from this article, your course textbook, the Instructor Guidance, and supplemental information derived from the discussions you will create a presentation using Google Slides Links to an external site., Prezi Links to an external site., or PowerPoint that addresses the following components:
Content Expectations
- Summarize the court case including each party’s perspective.
- Explain the four factors, known as the “Rachel H. test.”
- Describe how the “Rachel H. Test” is a collaborative decision-making process in determining special education placement decisions.
- Justify or dispute the court’s final ruling.
- Consider from your own experience what constitutes an appropriate setting for a student with a profile similar to Rachel H’s.
- Clarify how this decision influences today’s determination of appropriate educational settings for students with disabilities?
Written Expectations
- Syntax and Mechanics: Exhibit meticulous use of grammar, spelling, organization, and usage throughout your submission.
- Source Requirement: Reference at least the two required reading sources in order to provide compelling evidence to support your ideas.
- Slide Requirement: Your submission must be between 12-14 slides in length not including a title and reference page.
- Graphics: Include creative use of graphics and colors to enhance your presentation.
- APA format: All in text citations, page format and references must be written in APA 6th edition format.
Discussion
This discussion assesses your ability to evaluate how the foundations of the legal concept Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) currently influence students and educators in classrooms in the United States. This assessment also supports your achievement of Course Learning Outcome 4, 6, and 7 and the MASE Program Learning Outcome 4 and 6.
According to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requirement is defined as follows: “to the maximum extent appropriate children with disabilities are to be educated with children who are not disabled.” It further states that “Removal may only occur when education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily” (U.S. Government Publishing Office, 2014, p.1). This federal mandate was intentionally written with general terminology with the purpose of allowing each state and district to build an appropriate plan that includes the educational environment, and where and how services are provided.
Since IDEA’s reauthorization in 2004, more children with disabilities are being educated inside the general education classroom. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2014), in 1991 only 30% of students with disabilities were educated for the majority of the school day in the general education setting. By 2011 with that percentage had risen rising to over 60%.
Mr. Franklin and you have earned a positive reputation for your proactive classroom management style that promotes independence and for your differentiated lesson planning that ensures your students are actively engaged in learning and are making progress. The principal approaches both of you to discuss opportunities to maximize your environment to 30 students. Following the discussion, Mr. Franklin expresses concern to you about the request and asks: “How can we possibly have six more students with special needs in our classroom? Can that even be legal?”
Drawing on your expertise with IDEA, you explain to Mr. Franklin that providing a FAPE includes teaching students with disabilities in their LRE. Furthermore, you explain that the law requires that “students with disabilities receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate, with nondisabled peers” (Disability Rights California, 2011, 7-1). Next, you remind Mr. Franklin that students with disabilities may not be removed from their regular learning environment, “unless, even with supplemental aids and services, education in regular classes cannot be achieved satisfactorily” (Disability Rights California, 2011, 7-1).
Initial Post: Interpret the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) guidelines established by the IDEA to Mr. Franklin, in concise terms so he understands how the law relates to him and the classroom. Then provide him with at least one scholarly article from the University of Arizona Global Campus Library, cited in APA format, in support your explanation. Finally, include your own personal or professional experiences with this mandate or what you have learned throughout your higher education coursework regarding the LRE to justify or refute the principal’s decision.
Requirements: 12 slides and discussion
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