Topic of the Month

September 2020

Return to School Preparation Guide

August 2020

Facilitated IEP Meetings

July 2020

Preparing for an IEP Meeting by Reviewing Records

June 2020

Breaks from Caregiving - Respite

May 2020

Remote Learning for Students with IEPs

April 2020

Special Education Cooperatives/Joint Agreements

School districts in Illinois provide special education and related services to the students with disabilities who reside in their district.  Districts may also enter into an agreement with a special education cooperative or joint agreement entity to create, provide, and support their services for students with special education needs ages 3-22.  These cooperatives can provide specialized instructional environments for students with severe or low incidence disabilities, provide consultative services, and/or provide more highly specialized staff to serve students. 

Directory of Special Education Cooperatives and the Districts/Counties They Serve

March 2020

Homebound Services

February 2020
Supported Decision-Making

January 2020

Community Residential Services Authority

December 2019
The Seclusion and Restraint of Students in Illinois

November 2019

Thinking Through the IEP Process

Reviewing this checklist can be helpful in remembering what an IEP meeting should involve.

IEP Meeting Checklist

            I received written notice of my child’s IEP meeting at least 10 days prior to the meeting date

            (unless I waived my right to notice) 

            I received a copy of any materials that were to be discussed at the meeting at least 3 school

            days prior to the meeting so that I could adequately review the information

In addition to me, and my child if appropriate, the IEP team attending my child’s meeting consists of:

            A general education teacher who is, or may be, responsible for implementing a portion of my

            child’s IEP

            A special education teacher or special education provider of my child (a speech and language

            pathologist fulfills this role if ONLY speech and language services are provided)

            A representative of the district with the authority to make commitments for the provision of

            resources and be able to ensure that the services set out in my child’s IEP will be implemented,

            and who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of specially designed instruction and

            has knowledge of the general education curriculum

            An individual who can interpret my child’s evaluation results

            Other individuals, invited by me or the district, who have knowledge or special expertise

            regarding my child (optional)

            An individual qualified to teach preschool children without identified disabilities (if my child is

            age 3-5)

            A qualified bilingual specialist (if appropriate)

            A person knowledgeable about positive behavior strategies (if my child has behaviors that

            impede his or her learning or the learning of others)

At meetings to create or revise my child’s IEP, the team addresses the following issues, in the following order:

            My child’s present levels of academic and functional performance – including social skills (a

            measurable level of how my child is doing in school, the results of recent evaluations and

            testing, etc.)

            Secondary transition services needed by my child in the areas of employment, education,

            training, and independent living skills – including needed courses of study (if my child is, or will

            be, 14 ½ or older during the time covered by this IEP)

            A need for, or the results of, a functional behavior assessment and the development of, or

            revision to, a positive behavior intervention plan to address behaviors (if needed)

            The progress my child made on previous goals

            The goals my child will work to achieve during the next 12 months and the objectives or

benchmarks for reaching the goals (measurable goals written in each area of deficit that are

tied to the general education curriculum and learning standards)

            A designation of the person or people who are directly responsible for implementation of each

            Goal

            A description of how my child’s progress towards meeting goals will be determined, who will

            assess this progress, and how I will be informed of progress or lack of progress

            A need for assistive technology devices and services (if needed in order to progress toward

            academic and functional goals)

            The aids, accommodations, and modifications needed by my child to make progress toward

            annual goals, to progress in the general education curriculum, and to participate in

            extracurricular and other non-academic activities

            The supports or training needed by school personnel for my child to advance appropriately

            toward attaining the annual goals, participate in the general curriculum, and be educated and

            participate with other students in educational activities

            The assistance or training I need to help my child progress (instruction by staff or opportunities

            to attend trainings, conferences, in-service events, etc.)

            A description of how my child will access extra-curricular and non-academic activities

            A determination of the need for extended school year services due to the nature of the

            disability, the rate of progress on goals and objectives, emerging skills, behavior issues, and/or

            expected regression or delayed recoupment of skills

            A determination of the specially designed instruction (based on peer-reviewed research) my

            child will receive and a determination of when my child will be in general education with no

            supplementary aids; in general education with supplementary aids; in general education with

            special education and related services; or in special education classes outside of general

            education (placement is to be in the least restrictive environment)

            My parental concerns as noted in the IEP document

I receive:

            A copy of my child’s IEP at the end of the meeting

October 2019

Being Part of a Decision-Making Group

There are many levels on which parents can be involved in their child's school, community, county, or state in order to make positive changes. Research has shown that better decisions are made about services for children when parents are involved. Once parents feel comfortable with the processes that have helped make a difference for their own child, they may choose to make a difference for other children as well.

Although MAPS (Making Action Plans System) is generally considered to be a person-centered approach to help an individual plan his or her future, the process can also expand the skills, knowledge and roles of team members who make decisions. According to a manual produced by WI FACETS entitled Serving on Groups That Make Decisions: A Guide for Families (the section on MAPS as adapted from the Family Leadership Project) the five steps to a MAP are:

1. WHO AM I: A description of yourself, including the strengths, skills, likes, and values you bring to the leadership role.

2. HISTORY: A short description of the background and individual circumstances that led to your participation with the decision-making group.

3. DREAMS: A vision of things you would like to see happening as a result of our future participation with the decision-making group.

4. FEARS: A description of your worries or concerns about becoming a team member of the decision-making group.

5. NEEDS: A description of the things that need to happen to help make your vision for the future come true.

SERVING ON GROUPS

September 2019

Factors in Determining Special Education Eligibility

Upon completion of the administration of assessments and other evaluation measures a group of qualified professionals nad the parent of the child determines whether the child is a child iwth a disability as defined under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The team must draw up on information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, parent input, and teacher recommendations, as well as information about the child's physical condition, social or cultural background, and adaptive behavior. A child may be found eligible under the categories of:

• Autism
• Cognitive Disability
• Deaf-Blindness
• Deafness
• Developmental Delay (three through nine years of age)
• Emotional Disability
• Hearing Impairment
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impaired
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment

According to the code of federal regulations (34 CFR Part 300 Subpart D 300.306), a child must NOT be determined to be a child with a disability if the determinant factor is lack of appropriate instruction in reading, lack of appropriate instruction in math, or limited English proficiency.

Determination of Eligibility in the Federal Regulations

August 2019

Developing IEP Goals

An individualized education program (IEP) is developed for each student who qualifies for special education services. This document describes a student's educational needs and guides specialized instruction and related services. Each IEP lists the student's annual goals in each area of deficit. A goal is a statement of the intent to overcome deficits. It includes observable and measurable skill ability changes that are expected to be accomplished, given supports, over the next year.

The annual goals are developed by the IEP team, which includes parents and, if appropriate, the student. The goals should take into consideration the student's present level and individual circumstances. Measurable goals allow parents to observe wheter their child is making progress, staying the same, or regressing. Monitoring for progress lets parents know when the IEP needs to be modified and when adjustments to instruction need to be made.

For examples of measurable, appropriate goals, check out our many books on the topic of IEP development under the "education" category in our lending library.

Visit www.fmptic.org/library

July 2019
Documenting Special Education Services on IEP Forms

When a student qualifies for special education services, information about the student's specialized instruction and related services is documented on an individualized Education Program (IEP) form. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) provides a recommended form to school districts in the state. Some districts use their own form, but it must include all needed information as outlined by ISBE. In February 2019, the recommended form was revised, as was the instructions on how to complete the form.

The IEP form is set up to lead IEP team members through the process of individualizing services for a student. After basic information such as name, address, parent information, etc. is completed, the form moves through:

• a list of present levels of performance that documents strengths, concerns, academic achievement, and functional performance
• secondary transition information, including post-school goals (for students 14.5 or older)
• behavioral assessment data and behavioral interventions (if appropriate)
• annual goals and objectives/benchmarks (the number of goal pages will vary from student to student
• a list of educational accommodations and supports
• information on how the student will participate in classroom, district, and state assessment tests
• information on accommodations for students who are English Language Learners (if appropriate)
• an explanation of where educational service minutes will take place for the student (general education with no supplementary aids, general education with supplementary aids, special education and related services within a general education classroom, special education services outside general education, and related services outside general education)
• documentation of whether a student's behavior was a manifestation of their disability (for students with IEPs who are facing more than 10 days of disciplinary action)
• and a section to use later to recrod progress on the annual goals

For students with autism, there is an additional section for documenting consideration of communication needs; social interaction skills and proficiencies; needs resulting from unusual responses to sensory experiences; needs resulting from resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines; needs resulting from engagement in reptitive activities and stereotyped movements; needs for positive behavioral interventions, strategies and supports; and those needs related to social and emotional development.

The instruction document goes through the IEP, section by section, describing what needs to be included and how to document needs and services. It can be helpful to parents to look at their child's IEP document while reading the instruction document in order to get a clear understanding of the content or to assist in forumulating questions to be addressed at the next IEP meeting.

ISBE Recommended IEP Form

ISBE IEP Form Instruction Sheet

June 2019

Regional Offices of Education and SAFE Schools

Regional Offices of Education, which are grouped by county or counties throughout Illinois, are administered by Regional Superintendents who are locally elected officials. They are the intermediate agency between the Illinois State Board of Education and local school districts. Services of the ROEs include:

• visit and inspect school buildings
• provide safety courses for bus drivers
• process educator licensure
• respond to questions, including legal questions, from citizens, educators, and Boards of Education
• assist with cooperatives special education programs, and vocational programs
• administer the GED programs administer truancy programs
• offer Safe School Alternative Education programs

The Regional Safe School Program (RSSP) serves expulsion-eligible and suspension-eligible student in grades 6-12. Expelling or suspending disruptive students puts them on the street, which may increase safety and advance the learning environment inside the school premises, but does not service the educational needs of the expelled or suspended students or the community's need for public safety.

The purposes of RSSP is twofold: 1) to increase safety and promote the learning environment in schools and 2) to meet the particular educational needs of disruptive students more appropriately and individually in alternative educaiton environments. Currently, there are approximately 80 RSSP program sites in Illinois in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state. Each student has an Alternative Education Plan (AEP) and positive outcomes include: reduction in disruptive behavior, regular attendance, coursework completion and credit received advancement in grade level, return to home school, grammar or high school graduation and where appropriate completing a program leading to taking the GED test and passing the GED. Behavior modification training and other counseling, life skills trianing, community service, and work-based learning experiences are aspects of RSSP. Computerized learning systems may supplement the primary academic instruction or may be used as the primary method of instruction. For more information visit https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Regional-Safe-Schools-Program.aspx

May 2019

Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Food Service Program provides nutritious meals to children age 18 and younger during the summer months in low-economic areas when school is not in session. SFSP sponsors received federal reimbursement via the Illinois State Board of Education to cover the administrative and operating costs of preparing and serving meals. School districts, local goverments, and nonprofits can become sponsors and set up serving sites in schools, parks, recreation centers, resource centers, churches, summer camps, libraries, and other community locations. Former State Superintendent of Education, Tony Smith (replaced by Dr. Carmen Ayala on 2/26/19) said "Losing access to school lunch and breakfast over the summer poses a significant challenge for many Illinois families. The link between sufficient healthy food and our ability to learn and retain information is indisputable." Some Illinois counties still need partners to fill gaps in access to healthy meals. Families can find their nearest summer meals site by calling 800-359-2163 or visiting http://summerfeedingillinois.org

April 2019
Sharing Information About Your Child

When developing an Individualized Education Program, parents need to work with the IEP team to develop a plan that takes into consideration their child's strengths. Parents need a way to do this that best portrays their child's unique personality and yet is easily shared and concise.

One way to do this is to share a "Student Snapshot" with school staff prior to, or during, the IEP meeting. PACER Center in Minnesota has developed a format for student snapshots. They include a template for preparing a one-page document that is easily shared.
Student Snapshot

Another important way to individualize supports and services, is to make sure staff are aware of a child's preferences. The Center for Learning and Leadership has developed a guide related to preference indicators. This plan is organized around seven domain areas and is a tools for matching interests in peer activities and selecting providers.
Child Preference Indicators