Special Education
Central 301 provides a full continuum of special education and related services to all students who meet requirements in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education. Each school provides a variety of services to support students. All schools and programs are committed to providing services in the least restrictive environment. This commitment enables students to participate in and benefit from the general education curriculum as much as possible.
Central 301 Special Education
The goal of special education and related services is to support each student and address the student’s individual needs. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed in collaboration with parents, general education teachers, and special education staff on an annual basis. Parents receive updates on their child’s progress/IEP goals at each marking period.
A Student Services Team is available at each school and is composed of general and special education teachers, a nurse, a psychologist, a social worker, a speech/language pathologist, and an administrator. Other staff, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavioral consultants, assistive technology facilitators, adaptive physical education teachers, and vision/hearing therapists are also available, as needed. The team collaborates to adapt curriculum and teaching strategies to meet individual student needs.
If you, as a parent, have concerns about your student’s progress or are seeking information about an IEP, please contact either the Student Services Coordinator at your student’s school or your child’s case manager.
*School personnel who provide related services to students are required to maintain written logs that contain the service provided, the date and the number of minutes administered. These related service logs must be provided to parents/guardians during the student’s annual review IEP meeting and also anytime upon request. These service logs are considered part of a student’s temporary school records.
*Students with disabilities who do not qualify for an individualized education program under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the student (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment. Section 504 Parents’ Rights
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 7 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.
Specialized Programming
Specialized programs provide students with an individualized alternative curriculum aligned with the grade-level curriculum and Common Core State Standards. The students requiring this level of support may have a blended schedule, including Resource level and general education classes.
ASPIRE Program – 6th-8th Grades
CHS Life Skills – 9th-12th Grade
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.
Students with disabilities have the right to receive special education services through age 21 (up to their 22nd birthday), if they have not received their diploma and the educational needs require ongoing instruction in order to transition to adult life. In District 301, students receive this linkage and instruction through programming offered by Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative.
For More Information: Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative