Early Intervention and special education services at all levels (from birth to 12th grade) must occur in the “Least Restrictive Environment,” which means that children with disabilities are to be educated with non-disabled peers, to the maximum extent possible (e.g., they should have access to the general education curriculum, extracurricular programs, etc.).
There is great variability across States in service delivery venues for preschoolers. For example, the percentages of children who attend a special education- or integrated classroom (as opposed to having Related Service or Special Education Itinerant Teachers) are as follows: In Nevada 91%, in California 88%, Idaho 83%, and in New York 41%.
