The least restrictive environment concept aims to educate students with disabilities in settings that are as similar as possible to the settings for non-disabled peers.

• A. Peers without disabilities
• B. Self-contained special schools
• C. Hospitals
• D. Online learning

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested here is inclusion of students with disabilities in general education settings. Least restrictive environment means educating students with disabilities in the same or most similar setting to non-disabled peers, to the extent that they can access the curriculum with appropriate supports and services. In practice, this is about placing the student in the regular classroom and providing accommodations, supports, or services (like assistive technology or co-teaching) so they can learn alongside peers without disabilities. Removal to a more restrictive setting should only happen if the regular classroom with supports cannot meet the student’s needs.

So, educating with peers without disabilities is the best fit, because it aligns with the goal of inclusion and maximizing exposure to the general education environment. Choices that place the student in a separate self-contained setting, a hospital, or rely on online learning without ensuring access to typical in-person peers do not reflect LRE as closely, since they separate the student from the mainstream classroom.