NC 1500-2.23 Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Least restrictive environment means that, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities shall be educated with children who are not disabled, and special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only when the nature of the disability is such that education in the regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
Regular = 0-84 minutes in Special Education (80% of the day w/non-disabled peers)
Resource = 85-253 minutes in Special Education (40%-79% of the day w/non-disabled peers)
Separate = 254-420 minutes in Special Education (<39% of the day w/non-disabled peers)