Special Education

An extensive special education program exists for children who are eligible for special education and related services pursuant to the criteria established in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Article 14 of The School Code, and their respective implementing regulations. The Board of Education of Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 has adopted policies and procedures relating to behavior interventions for students who are eligible for special education services. All discipline procedures for special education students shall be in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and its implementing regulations.

Identification and Evaluation Procedures

A collaborative team is available in each school building as a resource to facilitate the identification, intervention, and evaluation of students experiencing difficulties in the classroom. This team can be accessed by both classroom teachers and parents. The core team is composed of the building principal, a psychologist, social worker, special education teacher, school nurse, and classroom teacher; parents are also invited to participate. If there are special concerns or needs, other school resources and outside agencies can be consulted.

Children having behavioral and/or academic concerns may be brought to the team several times, and strategies are implemented and assessed as to their success. In many instances, the team has successfully kept students in the regular education classroom the entire year while continuing collaboration.

If a student meets the district’s IDEA criteria as a student with a disability requiring special education services, an IEP is developed in collaboration with the parent(s). Resources are made available to meet these educational and/or developmental goals. A student’s IEP is reviewed and revised on an annual basis.

We continue to strive to provide the best possible services for our students by providing training for our staff and always incorporating the best practice when providing instruction. As always, we continue to work towards helping our students achieve their long-term goals through mastery of the short-term objectives developed by the IEP team. Our students deserve the best possible services, and we do our best to ensure they receive them.

Special Education Notices, Procedures, and Guidelines

The District maintains related service logs that document the type and number of minutes of related service administered under a student’s individualized education program (IEP). These related service logs will be available to parents/guardians at a student’s annual review IEP meeting. Parents/guardians may also request a copy of any IEP related service log maintained for their child. Please direct any requests for a copy of a related service log for your child to the Director of Special Education.

PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

The Edwardsville School District offers a full continuum of services for those eligible for special education and related services. Parent(s) who believe that their child may require special services should contact the local building principal or Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education at 655-6016. If it is determined that a case study evaluation is needed to determine eligibility for special education services, parent(s) will be required to consent to such a case study evaluation being conducted and have the right to a report of the evaluation information and attend any meetings to determine eligibility for services. If parents have questions regarding their child’s referral for a case study evaluation, please direct questions to Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education, at 655-6016. Additional information concerning special education services may be obtained by contacting Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education, at 655-6016.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROVIDE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SCREENING SERVICES

The Edwardsville School District provides a comprehensive program of speech and language services in accordance with state and federal regulations. A speech and language screening will include a review of the child’s communication abilities and will address language use, articulation, fluency, and rhythm. A uniform screening process will be used throughout the district.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO OFFER HOME/HOSPITAL INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES

If a child has a temporary physical or health impairment which his/her physician estimates will require a minimum of ten days absence from school, he/she may be eligible for homebound or hospital instruction. Please contact the building principal to initiate these procedures.

SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA)

Complaints alleging violations of rights accorded parents and eligible special education students shall be referred to the Director of Special Education. The Director will work with the parents and building principal to resolve the issues and concerns. If the issues cannot be resolved, the parent has the right to request mediation and or pursue a due process hearing. Please refer to the procedural safeguards provided to parents on, at least, an annual basis. For further questions please contact Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education at 655-6016.

ACCESSIBILITY

“Reasonable accommodations” will be made for students deemed disabled in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Parent(s) should immediately notify Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education at 655-6016 if he/she/they have reason to believe a reasonable accommodation is necessary for his/her/their child. A reasonable accommodation may require that the student be transferred to another building in the district to meet the child’s needs.

CONFERENCES/OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS

Should anyone require special hearing assistance devices or an interpreter (TTD, TTY, etc) for parent conferences, school-wide/district-wide meetings, etc., he/she should call Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education at 655-6016 at least three (3) working days in advance of the date of the meeting or event. Similarly, if anyone desires to receive information that is distributed by the school district in Braille, large print, or on audio cassette, he/she should also notify Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education of such needs at the aforementioned number.

PROCEDURES FOR COMPLAINTS

In the event that anyone has a complaint in regard to the school district handling of any American Disabilities Act-related matter, such complaint must be filed, in writing, with the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent shall issue a written response to said complaint with thirty (30) days. In the event the complainant wishes to appeal the Superintendent’s decision, or no response is received within the time set forth, said complainant may appeal the decision to the Facilities Committee of the Board of Education which shall hear such complaint or grievance related to the District’s compliance with the ADA within 30 days or receipt of such written notice of appeal. The Facilities Committee shall respond in writing within 14 days of date of hearing. Finally if the complainant desires further consideration, they may appeal to the full Board of Education in the same manner as set forth for appeal to the Facilities Committee.

DISCIPLINE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

All discipline procedures for special education students shall be in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and its implementing regulations.

BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

The Board of Education of Edwardsville Community Unit School District No. 7 has adopted policies and procedures relating to behavior interventions for students who are eligible for special education services. A copy of the district’s policy and procedures can be obtained by contacting Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education at 655-6016.

MEDICAID FUNDING

In order to maximize available financial assistance for the operation of the district’s special education programs, District 7 does apply for Medicaid funding for eligible students. If parents have any concerns regarding District 7’s accessing these funds, please contact Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education, at 655-6016.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION Notice is hereby given that Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to its programs and activities.