If you or your child's teacher believes your child might need special education services, a referral is made for a case study evaluation. A team called the Student Services Team (SST) will meet to decide if an evaluation is necessary within 14 school days.

The team considers:

• What interventions (supports) have already been tried.

• Your child's school progress.

• How they function in the school setting compared to their peers.

To make this decision, the team may look at screening data, observe your child, conduct a simple classroom assessment, talk with the teacher, and/or meet with your child. You will be notified of the team's decision within 14 school days.

If the team agrees to move forward, a team of certified and/or licensed district special education staff will evaluate your child. They use observations, information from everyone involved (including you), intervention data, and formal testing.

The team, including parents, will hold a Domain Review Meeting (DRM) to identify the specific areas where more information is needed. Once you give written permission (parental consent), the evaluation must be completed within 60 school days.

After the evaluation, the team, including parents and special education/general education staff, meets for an Eligibility Determination Conference (EDC). The purpose is to decide if your child has a disability and qualifies for special education and related services under IDEA. If they are found eligible, an IEP will be developed.

An IEP is a written plan for a child with a disability who qualifies for special education services under the law (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA). This plan is created, looked at, and updated at least once every year. The IEP team usually includes:

• A special education teacher (your child's case manager)

• A general education teacher

• Service providers (like a speech or physical therapist)

• An administrator (like an assistant principal or the Local Education Agency representative)

• The parent(s)

• The child (when appropriate)

The following are the different parts of the IEP that will be discussed during your child's IEP meeting:

• Your child's current performance: A summary of how your child is currently doing academically and functionally (Present Levels of Academic and Functional Performance or PLOP).

• Goals for the year: Specific, measurable goals for your child, including benchmarks or short-term objectives to track their progress.

• Progress updates: A description of how your child’s progress will be tracked and reported to you.

• Support and changes: The educational adjustments and supports (accommodations) your child needs to succeed.

• Participation with peers: An explanation of how much your child will participate with students without disabilities in the regular classroom.

• Tests and testing: Information about how your child will participate in state and district-wide tests.

• Behavior review (if necessary): A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and/or a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), if your child's behavior is impacting their learning or the learning of others.

• Details on services: The dates, how often, where, and how long your child will receive special education and related services.

• Summer school eligibility: A statement about whether your child qualifies for Extended School Year (ESY) services to prevent regression over the summer.

• Planning for the future (starting at 14 1/2): Transition services to prepare your child for life after high school.

• Transfer of rights (starting at 18): Information about transferring educational rights to the student when they reach the age of 18.

Your child will be reevaluated at least every three years, unless you and the school district agree in writing that a reevaluation is not necessary.

If you have concerns about your child, please contact the Lead Teacher, Dean, or Assistant Principal of your child’s school. 

• Hooper:   Annie Vinson

• Martin:  Wendy Loveless

• Thompson:  Erinn Vincent 

• Palombi:  Julie Pozezinski

Additional Resources

The documents linked below are provided to help you understand the special education process, your rights as a parent, and other important information for identifying and supporting students with disabilities.

• ISBE Special Education Parent/Guardian Information website

• ISBE Parent Guide for Special Ed

• The Dyslexia Guide: A Handbook for Parents, Educators and Students

• ISBE MTSS Framework