Central 301 offers a variety of special educational programs to meet the identified needs of our special education students. Each child is served in his/her least restrictive environment. We promote an inclusive environment with the goal of educating all children in the general education classroom to the maximum extent possible.


Early Childhood Special Education

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program is for children ages 3 through 5. Referrals for evaluation to determine eligibility for this program are made through Early Intervention (EI) or through the Child Find process which is typically by parent referral.

Central 301’s ECSE program is located at Country Trails Elementary School, Howard B. Thomas Grade School, and Prairie View Grade School. Currently five (5) full-time teachers serve the needs of our ECSE students. A variety of related services are integrated into this program.

Visit the Early Childhood page for more information.


Resource Special Education

Resource special education services are provided at each school to identified students in grades K through 12 as indicated in each student’s IEP. The level of Resource services can vary from child to child. Services may include consultation from a special education teacher, push-in special education services, or pull-out special education services. Within this model, a student is not removed from the general education environment for more than 50% of the school day. Typically, Resource special education teachers serve as inclusion facilitators in order to help students be more successful in the general education classroom. At the elementary level, Resource teachers may also provide direct instruction using intervention programs to remediate student deficits in areas such as reading, writing, or math.

At the middle school and high school levels, Resource teachers also provide direct and indirect services to students. Collaborative Classes are available in many subject areas. This model allows for students to fully participate in the general curriculum with the support of a special education teacher in the general education classroom up to 50% of the time. Resource Classes are available in the core subject areas for students who continue to require a remedial level of instruction. These cross-categorical classes are taught by a special education teacher.


Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative

Central 301 is a member of MVSEC along with St. Charles, Batavia, Geneva, and Kaneland. MVSEC offers a variety of programs to identified students whose needs are unable to be met in a student’s resident district. MVSEC programs are often located in one of the member districts’ public school buildings. Some programs are also offered at Mades-Johnstone Center in St. Charles. The following Word document provides a flow-chart for the Continuum of Special Education Services.

For More Information: Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative