The Advisory Panel on Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) was established as a component of the Gaskin v. Commonwealth Settlement Agreement. The five-year agreement is in effect from September 16, 2005 through September 16, 2010. This panel has been established as a special advisory group to the Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education. For more information on the settlement agreement, please visit PDE's website.

"The purpose of the Advisory Panel [is] to review system-wide progress in the delivery of individualized specially designed instruction in regular education classrooms to students with disabilities in Pennsylvania, to analyze and report periodically on the status of implementation of this agreement, and to advise PDE on implementation." The panel is made up of 15 members, nine of whom must be parents of children with disabilities, and includes persons with recognized expertise in research and practice.

In accordance with the Gaskin v. Commonwealth Settlement Agreement, the mission of the panel is, through collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to promote and sustain inclusive supports and services that honor the strengths and meet the needs of all students to achieve success in regular classes in neighborhood schools. This mission will be accomplished through reviewing, evaluating, recommending and promoting best practices.

March 6, 2008 (Thursday), 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Four Points by Sheraton, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg
For directions: phone - 717-561-2800, www.fourpoints.com/harrisburg

June 25, 2008 (Wednesday), 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Four Points by Sheraton, 800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg
For directions: phone - 717-561-2800, www.fourpoints.com/harrisburg

September 25, 2008 (Thursday), 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg 
For directions: phone - 717-233-6000
http://www1. hilton .com/en_US/hi/ hotel / MDTHHHF- Hilton - Harrisburg-Pennsylvania/index.do

December 10, 2008 (Wednesday), 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg
For directions: phone - 717-233-6000
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/MDTHHHF-Hilton-Harrisburg-Pennsylvania/index.do

Additional Meeting Information

The first and last 30 minutes of each session will be reserved for public comment. Meeting agendas will be posted one week prior to each meeting and will include specific time frames for public comment.

Reasonable efforts will be made to provide special accommodations to persons with disabilities that are in need of such accommodations to participate in this event. You are asked to contact Paula Quinn at paula.quinn@aiu3.net at least 24 hours in advance.

The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education.

Questions or comments related to the work of the Advisory Panel on LRE may be emailed to LREAdvisoryPanel@pattan.net.