Programs / Placement
The placement of a child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) is made by a group of people, including the parents and others who know about the child, what the evaluation results mean, and what types of placement is appropriate. In some states, the IEP Team serves as the group making the placement decision.

In other states, this decision may be made by another group of people, such as members of a school district. In all cases, the parents have the right to be members of the group that decides the educational placement of the child.

Placement decisions must be made according to IDEA's Least Restrictive Environment clause (LRE). These requirements state that, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities must be allowed to be educated with non-disabled children at no extra cost. The law also states that special classes, separate schools, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment may occur only if 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.

Where are They Placed?
Depending on the needs of the child, his/her IEP may be carried out in:

• the regular classrooms (with special aids and services);

• special classrooms (where every student is receiving special education);

• a special school;

• at home;

• in a hospital and institution; or

• in another setting.

The school system may meet its obligation to ensure that the child has an appropriate placement available by:

• providing an appropriate program for the child on its own;

• contracting with another agency to provide an appropriate program; or

• utilizing some other arrangement that is consistent with IDEA for providing or paying for an appropriate program for the child.
  

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