Define Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) as you did with present level and annual goals.
An explanation of how the student will participate with or without supplemental aids and services in the general education curriculum, non-academic areas and extracurricular activities alongside her non-disabled peers, or, an explanation of why the student, with supplemental aids and services, cannot participate with non-disabled peers in the general education curriculum, non-academic areas and extracurricular activities.
There is no clarification on the contents of the “multiple” label.
The MUSER give the definitions of the disabilities in Section VII.
We need more guidance on “scientifically based” and “peer reviewed research” in determining both methods of service delivery and supplemental aids and services. Please advise.
MUSER Section II.33 states:
“The term ‘scientifically based research’—
(A) means research that involves the application of rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education activities and programs; and
(B) includes research that—
(i) employs systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment;
(ii) involves rigorous data analyses that are adequate to test the stated hypotheses and justify the general conclusions drawn;
(iii) relies on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable and valid data across evaluators and observers, across multiple measurements and observations, and across studies by the same or different investigators;
(iv) is evaluated using experimental or quasi-experimental designs in which individuals, entities, programs, or activities are assigned to different conditions and with appropriate controls to evaluate the effects of the condition of interest, with a preference for random-assignment experiments, or other designs to the extent that those designs contain within-condition or across-condition controls;
(v) ensures that experimental studies are presented in sufficient detail and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, offer the opportunity to build systematically on their findings; and (vi) has been accepted by a peer-reviewed journal or approved by a panel of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective and scientific review.”
The following discussion is given in the federal commentary section of IDEA:
Discussion: “Peer-reviewed research” generally refers to research that is reviewed by qualified and independent reviewers to ensure that the quality of the information meets the standards of the field before the research is published. However, there is no single definition of “peer-reviewed research” because the review process varies depending on the type of information to be reviewed. We believe it is beyond the scope of these regulations to include a specific definition of “peer-reviewed research” and the various processes used for peer reviews. (Revised September 2010)
Who are you defining as the public agency? School, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), private—non-profits, Community Care, or Community Health and Counseling Services (CHCS)?
The School Administrative Units (SAU) are responsible for providing FAPE. Section II of the MUSER defines “Public Agency.”