If my child has an IEP or gets special education, does she have to be in a different classroom?

No. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or is receiving special education services, it does NOT automatically mean she will be placed in a special education classroom.  IDEA has a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) clause, which states that children should be educated in the least restrictive environment that is still sufficient to meet their academic needs. Therefore if your child can learn in a regular education classroom then that is where the law says she should be placed.