n.1. the placement of children with disabilities into regular classroom environments on a part-time basis, such that they attend only some regular education classes during the school day and spend the remaining time in special education classes. The aim is to offer each child the opportunity to learn in an environment that has the highest probability of facilitating rehabilitation efforts and supporting academic growth, although some critics have denounced the practice as requiring that children with disabilities “earn” their opportunity to participate in a regular classroom. See also full inclusion; least restrictive environment. 2. the return of recovered or deinstitutionalized patients to the community, where they receive rehabilitative assistance to help them achieve as full and normal a life as possible.