Special Education
District 31 services children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 15 who have been evaluated and identified as requiring special education services based on State and Federal criteria. Students can receive services if found eligible under the category of autism; deaf-blindness; emotional disturbance; hearing impairment; intellectual disability; speech or language impairment; other health impairment, traumatic brain injury; or visual impairment (including blindness).504 Plans
Students who qualify for a 504 Plan based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disability Act are provided accommodations to ensure equal participation in the school setting. A student with a disability under this Act has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities such as self-care; performing mental or physical manual tasks, walking, seeing hearing, speaking breathing, learning and working. Accommodations may include: extra time, testing in a separate location, specialized equipment, and preferential seating.
Students with Disabilities
District 31 complies with the provisions of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provides a Free Appropriate Public Education, (FAPE). Special education and related services are provided to address the adverse effect(s) of the disability on a student’s education. Students already identified as having a disability and receiving special education services are provided with an Individual Education Program (IEP) created by student’s educational team and parents. Careful consideration and planning occurs during the student’s IEP meeting to ensure the student’s needs are being met in the Least Restrictive Environment.
Notice to Parents/ Guardians of Children with Disabilities - Public Act 101-0515
Public Act 101-0515, the following serves as a notice for parents/guardians of students with disabilities who may receive related services as part of their individualized education programs (IEPs). District 31 maintains related service logs that record the delivery and number of minutes of the related service(s) administered to such students. Parents/guardians of students with disabilities may request copies of their child's related services logs at any time.
If you have any questions, please contact your student's related services provider or the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, jgruhn@
Parent Rights
After receiving a request for an evaluation, District 31 will determine whether an evaluation is warranted within 14 days. Click the link below for the Notice of Procedural Safeguards for Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities. Click here for information.
Discipline of Special Education Students
District 31 complies with the provisions of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when disciplining special education students. No special education student shall be expelled if the student’s particular act of gross disobedience or misconduct is a manifestation of his or her disability.
If a student is suspended for less than 10 days, the District shall follow the same due process procedures as are applicable to non-handicapped students and the District 31 Student Board of Education policy.
Individual with Disabilities Education Act, House Bill 3586
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the District must provide students with disabilities with appropriate special education and related services to address their educational needs. If your student receives related services from the District through their Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) document, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, nursing services, and speech and language therapy, you may request copies of related service logs developed and maintained by the District for your child. These related service logs include information regarding the type and duration of related services administered to your child.
Contact
Dr. Janine Gruhn
Asst. Superintendent for Student Services
jgruhn@district31.net
847-313-4411.
Resources