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Resource room

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A resource room is a separate classroom where students with IEPs spend part of the day getting specialized instruction, then return to general education.

Topic: Services, placement and staff

In plain terms

Students usually come to the resource room for a period or a block to work on specific skills, such as reading, writing, math or study skills, in small groups. Most of their day is in general education classes. The resource room is a common example of supplementary instruction on the continuum of placements.

How it shows up in an IEP

Minutes in the resource room are counted as time outside general education. Goals should target the specific skills taught there, and the team should check how the skills transfer to general education work.

Example

A sixth grader spends one 45-minute period a day in the resource room working on written expression with a paragraph rubric, and is in general education for all other classes.

Related terms

  • Pull-out servicesPull-out services are special education or related services given outside the regular classroom, in a separate room, individually or in a small group.
  • Continuum of alternative placementsThe continuum of alternative placements is the range of settings, from general education to home or hospital instruction, that districts must have available.
  • Self-contained classroomA self-contained classroom is a special education class where students with IEPs spend most or all of the school day with a special education teacher.
  • LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)LRE is the IDEA requirement that students with disabilities learn alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate for each student.
  • Specially designed instruction (SDI)Specially designed instruction is teaching adapted in content, method or delivery to meet a student's disability-related needs.

On IEP Atlas

This page describes special education terms and federal rules in general terms and is not legal advice. Our editorial policy explains how IEP Atlas writes and reviews content. Browse all 244 terms.