Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Invitation to Participate in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Action Learning Group (ALG),
Cohort 2 for the 2026-2027 School Year
Background
Placement of students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is a foundational principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Following a release of the Educational Environment Dashboard, the Office of Special Education (OSE) continues to build capacity throughout the state by enabling local education agencies (LEAs) to closely review and explore their data, offering valuable insights into the inclusion of students with disabilities in the LRE, as required by 20 U.S.C. §1412(a)(5)(A).
Building on the success of the inaugural LRE Action Learning Group cohort, the OSE is pleased to announce the expansion of the LRE Action Learning Group (ALG) with the launch of Cohort 2 for the 2026–2027 school year. This professional learning and improvement initiative supports LEA leadership teams in moving beyond LRE rates to explore the reality (i.e., practices, culture) behind their local data, identify success gaps for specific student groups, and build a team-based plan for meaningful, sustainable improvement.
About the LRE Action Learning Group
The LRE Action Learning Group is a six-session, team-based professional learning cohort spanning the academic year. Sessions will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual process-oriented learning opportunities offered at both the Learning Resource Center – Central (Trenton, NJ) and the Learning Resource Center – North Satellite (Wayne, NJ).
Facilitation includes a district team that will determine its own focus and plan to improve LRE policies, practices, and procedures, while the ALG provides the structure, facilitation, consultation, and embedded coaching to support that process. The work is built on the following pillars:
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Individual exploration of local LRE data
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Engagement across general education and special education, grounded in shared ownership of student outcomes
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A team-based approach that builds internal capacity for sustained improvement
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Integration of both qualitative data and quantitative data
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A locally determined plan for improvement, built and individualized by each team, their district's needs, and centered around the students served
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Embedded consultation, coaching, and technical assistance throughout all six sessions
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Cross-district collaboration and peer learning across participating LEAs
Information Session (Required for Interested Applicants)
Attendance at the upcoming information session is required for at least one (1) member of an LEA’s leadership team who is interested in applying to participate in Cohort 2. Registration details can be found in the table below.
This session is designed for Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Directors of Special Education, and other leaders who would serve as the primary team lead or champion for the work. During the information session, participants will receive a full overview of:
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Participation requirements, structure, and time commitments across six sessions
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The benefits and impact of the Action Learning Group model, grounded in Implementation Science and Improvement Science
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The scope of the work — qualitative and quantitative data exploration, team development, and building a locally driven plan for improvement
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How to apply for Cohort 2 of the 2026–2027 LRE Action Learning Group
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Session Details |
Date/Time |
Format |
Registration Link |
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LRE Action Learning Group General Information Session |
Date: June 3, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Microsoft Teams (Virtual) |
Contact information
For additional information or assistance, please email OSEInfo@doe.nj.gov.
For additional resources on educating and supporting students with disabilities, please visit the NJDOE Offices of Special Education, the Learning Resource Center Network, and, for continued engagement activities, be sure to check the Office of Special Education Engagement websites regularly.