Education Programs: K–12 Mainstream Programs

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets forth that a continuum of placement options must be available to all students with disabilities. Consequently, there are a myriad of educational options for students who are deaf. In addition to K–12 charter, day, oral, private, and residential schools, some families may elect to enroll their child in a mainstream program. IDEA also states that “To the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled.” Thus, a mainstream program is one option that is in line with the idea of the least restrictive environment (LRE) in that it is a placement on the continuum that would ensure the student is educated ...