Inclusion for Instruction

The Lower Merion School District is committed to including students, requiring specially designed instruction (SDI), within the general education environment to the extent appropriate for the individual child. Students with disabilities participate in general education across all eleven schools and the District's inclusion of students with disabilities continues to exceed state averages.

This strong commitment begins with the IEP team's determination of the individual strengths and needs of each student and the support necessary for the student's success in the general education program. This support may include assigning a special education teacher or a specifically trained instructional or behavioral assistant to a student or group of students within the general education classes and/or the support of a designated related service provider to support the student and to consult or collaborate with staff.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The District has a legal obligation to ensure that students with disabilities are educated alongside students without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate for the student. In addition, by law, special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs 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. Thus, typically as a measure of last resort, if the IEP team determines that the student's needs cannot be adequately met within their current school, they may need to attend a school outside the district to receive FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education), which ensures they get the necessary specialized instruction and support to meet their unique needs.