Which concept emphasizes the importance of students with disabilities being educated among their nondisabled peers?

The concept that emphasizes the importance of students with disabilities being educated alongside their nondisabled peers is inclusion. Inclusion advocates for the integration of all students into general education classrooms, providing them with opportunities to learn together and promoting social interactions. This approach not only benefits students with disabilities by allowing them access to a broader range of educational resources and peer models but also fosters an understanding of diversity and acceptance among all students.

Additionally, the least restrictive environment (LRE) relates closely to the educational placement of students with disabilities and requires that they be educated in the setting that least restricts their freedom to interact with their nondisabled peers. While LRE is an important principle, it does not inherently prioritize inclusion in the same way that the concept of inclusion does. Inclusion specifically reinforces the idea that all students belong in general education settings whenever possible, rather than simply focusing on minimizing restrictions.