Which approach emphasizes teaching students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment possible?

The inclusion model is focused on integrating students with disabilities into general education classrooms alongside their peers without disabilities. This approach emphasizes the belief that all students benefit from being educated together in a supportive academic environment, fostering social interactions and peer relationships. The least restrictive environment (LRE) principle dictates that students with disabilities should have the opportunity to participate in general education settings to the maximum extent appropriate, making the inclusion model an ideal choice.

In contrast, specialized schools, resource rooms, and removal models often segregate students with disabilities from their peers. Specialized schools cater specifically to students with disabilities and can limit interactions with their peers. Resource rooms provide support but often do so outside of the general classroom, leading to separation. The removal model focuses on placing students in specialized settings, which is contrary to the idea of least restrictive environments. Thus, the inclusion model stands out as the approach that fully embodies the principle of educating students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment possible.