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Student Services » Special Education Overview

Special Education Overview

The Special Services Department oversees programming and services for students with individualized needs.
 
The district adheres to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provides a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal mandates.  Students may receive specialized services and supports through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) upon determination of eligibility for special education services.  In order to qualify for special education services, student must meet the criteria for a disability area and the disability must adversely impact educational progress and require specialized instruction or supports.  The district offers a continuum of special education services for eligible students with disabilities in preschool through 8th grade. 
 
Students may also be eligible for supports through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.  Section 504 establishes a student’s right to full access and participation to education and all school-related activities.  Schools are required to provide appropriate services to meet the students’ unique needs. A student may qualify for a Section 504 plan if the student is between the ages of 3 and 22 and has a disability, which is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Students who do not qualify for an IEP, may qualify under Section 504. 
 
If you believe your child may be eligible for an IEP or Section 504, please contact the Director of Special Education, Leslie DeBoer at 815-469-9103. 

Important Additional Information for Parents/Guardians

  1. Parents/guardians have the right to inspect and/or obtain a copy their child’s school student records prior to any IEP meeting. Written requests to inspect and/or copy the student records should be submitted to the Director of Special Education at [email protected].
  2. Qualified interpreters are available at IEP team meetings upon request for parents/guardians whose native language is other than English. If a qualified interpreter is not available, the district may use outside vendors, including telephonic interpreters.
  3. Parents/guardians, including parents/guardians who are deaf, may request an interpreter at IEP team meetings by contacting the Director of Special Education at [email protected] or 815-469-9103. Parent/guardian requests for an interpreter at IEP meetings should be made at least 10 days before such meetings whenever possible.
  4. Parents/guardians have the right to request that the bilingual interpreter provided at an IEP meeting by the district serve no other role in the IEP meeting than as an interpreter, and the district will make reasonable efforts to fulfill this request.
  5. Parents/guardians may contact the Director of Special Education at [email protected] or 815-469-9103 with any questions or complaints about interpretation services.