IDEA in Special Education

      It has been so interesting to learn all about the laws and principles in special education. It is kind of scary that I had never heard of IDEA or even knew that there were so many options that special education students and family have. My favorite principles of IDEA are LRE and FAPE.
      Least restricted environment, or LRE is one of 6 principles of IDEA. I love this principle because it gives the family and student so many options of where he/she can receive their education. The students can receive an education at home, a special school, a special class, pull out method, push in method, or be involved in a regular classroom. Students will usually start toward the bottom, and then move their way up the latter. I just think that it is so great that these students have the opportunity to receive quality education, because they weren't always able to. Not only that, they have so many different options of how and where they would like to receive it.
     Another great principle of IDEA is FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education). This basically says that every student that has special needs or a disability will receive free education. Like I said earlier, this is a huge step. It is so wonderful that those with special needs have the opportunity to be educated and not only that, but it is free. Just because a student has special needs does not or should not mean they can't be educated.
     Although this weeks reading was a bit confusing and a lot to take in, I have learned so much and I am so grateful for the education system we have set up for those students with special needs.