The correct answer is: A. Handicapped.
The least restrictive environment (LRE) is a legal principle that requires public schools to place students with disabilities in the most appropriate setting, based on the student’s individual needs. The LRE is designed to ensure that students with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the same educational opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
The LRE is not a specific place or program, but rather a continuum of services that range from full-time placement in a general education classroom to full-time placement in a special education classroom. The LRE for a particular student is determined by a team of professionals, including the student’s parents, teachers, and other specialists.
The LRE is an important principle in the education of students with disabilities. It ensures that students with disabilities have the opportunity to receive a quality education in a setting that meets their individual needs.
The other options are incorrect because they do not refer to the education of the handicapped.
Option B, gifted, refers to students who have exceptional intellectual or creative abilities.
Option C, early childhood youngsters, refers to children who are between the ages of birth and eight years old.
Option D, retarded, is an outdated and offensive term for people with intellectual disabilities.