Special Education Services in District 124

Evergreen Park School District 124 provides appropriate and effective educational programs for students with a variety of disabilities who are between the ages of three (3) years of age up to graduation from 8^th grade. Students must meet specific eligibility criteria to be identified as a child with a disability. Once the student is eligible, an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is written.

According to state and federal regulations, students who have been identified as having a disability and in need of special education services are to be provided a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

Within District 124, we have adopted the definition of LRE as an environment, which the student can be most successful while providing opportunities with non-disabled peers. This does not mean the removal of all students with a disability from the general education classroom nor the inclusion in general education of all students. We believe that it is necessary to have a continuum of options and program placement is based on each student’s individual needs.

Forms

Referral Information

Special Education Placement Options

Special Services

Terms of Special Education

2008/2009 Preschool Screening Dates

Parent Involvement

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Placement Options

Once a child is eligible there are a variety of placement options in which services can be provided. Placement options for students with disabilities range from least to most restrictive. Along the continuum, placements are as follows:

· General education placement with accommodations/modifications. In addition to the general education instruction, the student may use specialized equipment and materials provided by special education personnel, and the classroom teacher makes modifications as delineated on the IEP.

· General education placement with students receiving support less than 50% of the day.The student spends part of the instructional time in the resource room, during which the special education teacher provides specialized instruction that is individually planned for the student. In addition the resource teacher may , also, provide this individualized instruction in the general education classroom.

· Instructional Services provided for more than 50% of the day. The student receives instruction in the core academic areas using specialized materials in a self-contained classroom with a high student to teacher ratio. The student may participate as appropriate in certain classes in the general education program.

· Special public day schools in which the student spends 100% of the school day in special education. Students with more significant needs requiring a more restrictive placement are generally educated in programs through our cooperative, AERO.

· Nonpublic schools are used when a student’s disability is so severe or complex that no service in the public school can meet their needs.

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