Special Education & Student Supports

The District provides special education programs and services to eligible students in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Article 14 of the Illinois School Code, and applicable federal and state regulations. Information available includes:

• Eligibility
• Evaluation Process
• Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
• Procedural Safeguards
   

Cook County School District 130 actively identifies, locates, and evaluates children who may have disabilities and who may be eligible for special education services. Child Find applies to children from birth through age 21 who reside within the District's boundaries.

Eligible students may receive related services identified through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. Services may include:

• Speech-Language Services
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• School Psychology
• School Social Work
• School Counseling
• Nursing Services
• Assistive Technology
• Transportation
• Vision Services
• Hearing Services
• Orientation and Mobility

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects qualified students with disabilities from discrimination and provides accommodations necessary to ensure equal access to educational programs and activities.

Additional Information and Updates: 

• Notice of Procedural Safeguards
• Annual Notification Regarding Assistive Technology
• Interpretation Services for IEP Meetings
• A Guide to Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services
• What is PUNS?

Parents of students with disabilities are entitled to procedural safeguards under federal and state law. The Procedural Safeguards Notice explains parents' rights regarding:

• Evaluations
• Consent
• Educational Records
• Mediation
• Due Process
• Complaint Procedures

A current copy of the Procedural Safeguards Notice is available on our website and through the Illinois State Board of Education.

Extended School Year services may be provided to eligible students when determined appropriate by the IEP Team. Eligibility is based on individual student needs and applicable legal requirements.
 

Transition planning assists students in preparing for post-secondary education, employment, independent living, and community participation. Transition planning begins no later than age 14½, as required by Illinois law.
 

District support personnel collaborate with families and schools to address students' academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and health needs. Support services may include:

• School Social Workers
• School Psychologists
• School Counselors
• Certified School Nurses
• Behavior Support
• Crisis Response
• Community Resource Referrals
   

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004, provides a legal definition of AT. The definition at 34 C.F.R. § 300.5 reads as follows:

• Assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.… (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))
• The term [assistive technology] does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))
• What are Assistive Technology Services?

IDEA 2004 provides a definition of AT services at 34 C.F.R. § 300.6. Specifically, it states:

Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device. The term includes—

1. The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the child in the child’s customary environment;
2. Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities;
3. Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
4. Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
5. Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child’s family; and
6. Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of that child. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(2))

More information about AT in the school setting can be found in the Illinois Assistive Technology Guidance Manual.

For Children enrolled in non-public/parochial schools.  Cook County School District 130 meets each year to discuss with the administrators of local non-public/parochial schools the district referral procedures for students with suspected disabilities. Please contact the building administrator of the non-public/parochial school your child attends for information on referring your child for screening or evaluation.

If your child attends a non-public/parochial school outside of the boundaries of Cook County School 130 the school district that the non-public/parochial school is located in is responsible for evaluating and providing services for your child if they are eligible for special education services, contact your non-public/parochial school principal for information and procedures.