The Special Education Program

The Special Education Program in District 200 provides a full continuum of services to meet the needs of students between the ages of 3 and 21 who experience educational challenges and are found eligible for special education services.

Identifying Students for Participation in Special Education
The District offers preschool screening for 3-to-5-year old children four times a year. If difficulties are detected through the screening, a more extensive evaluation is conducted. School-aged children can be referred for an evaluation by their parents, their teacher or any other concerned adult. The student's health, vision, hearing, social-emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communication status and motor abilities are all considered during the evaluation. Students are found eligible for special education services following the evaluation if they exhibit deficits that impede their learning. Areas of eligibility include learning disabilities, emotional disorders, mental impairment, speech and language disorders, hearing impairment, vision impairment, traumatic brain injury, physical/health impairment, autism, developmental delay (up to age 6 only). All children who reside in District 200 (including private school students) are entitled to evaluation and special education services if found eligible.

For More Information:
Please call the Special Services Offices at Jefferson School at (630) 682-2111 for more information on programs and services or to discuss a student's eligibility for special education services.

Preschool
The preschool program serves children between the ages of three and five. It focuses on developing a child's speech, language, social, motor and school readiness skills. A certified special education teacher and speech/language pathologist staff each preschool section. Students may also receive services from other certified or licensed staff, such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, or vision and hearing professionals.

Speech and Language Services
Children with mild to moderate speech and/or language disorders receive services from a speech /language pathologist either individually or in small groups depending on the child's specific needs.

Phonology Class
A special class is offered for children whose speech is not easily understood because they don't enunciate correctly, but are typical in other areas of their development. Phonemic awareness and the production of specific speech sounds are emphasized. In this program, a small group of students attend a class with a speech pathologist for 2½ hours, 2 days a week on a "7-weeks on - 7-weeks off" schedule.

Regular Education Class
This program is for children with disabilities who require special education services more than 50% of the school day, but benefit from placement in a regular preschool class with typically developing peers. Special education services are provided on a pullout, push-in and/or consulting basis according to each child's individualized educational plan (IEP).

Self-Contained Class
A variety of self-contained classes also are provided for students who require special education services more than 50% of the school day. Students in these classes benefit from instruction from the certified special education teacher in a small group setting. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 10 students. Students in these classes are integrated into regular education classes to the extent possible.

Elementary School
The elementary program serves children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Like the preschool program, the focus is on the development of speech and language skills, social and motoric skills. In addition, students are aided in the development of academic skills appropriate for their age and capabilities.

Resource Program
This program provides special services to a student less than 50% of the school day. A special education teacher may pull students out of the classroom for individual or small group instruction, work with students within the regular education classroom, or provide consultation to the regular education teacher on modifications and accommodations to use during regular classroom instruction.

Resource and Instructional Level Programs
Students at the middle school who have mild disabilities receive special education services less than 50% of the day (resource level) and generally participate in many regular education classes without assistance. Students who require special education support more than 50% of the school day are considered to be at the instructional level. The same services and resources are available as for resource level students; however, the amount of special education support is increased. Students in the resource and instructional programs move from class to class and have several different teachers.

Self-Contained Class
A variety of self-contained classes are provided for students who require special education services more than 50% of the school day. Students in these classes benefit from instruction in a small group setting from a certified special education teacher. Students in these classes are integrated into regular education classes to the extent possible. Some programs focus on behavior changes and providing emotional support. Others focus on helping students with learning disabilities to acquire strategies to master reading, math or written language challenges. Some self-contained classes teach functional skills as well as basic academics. Students in these classes are integrated into regular education classes to the extent possible.

Resource and Instructional Level Courses
High school students participate in their IEP meetings where the team determines, course by course, the student's schedule. Students with mild disabilities receive special education support less than 50% of the school day (resource level) and will generally participate in many regular education classes without assistance. Students at the instructional program level (more than 50% of the day with special education support) will generally have schedules that consist of many classes taught by a special education teacher or classes team-taught with a regular education teacher. It is up to the IEP team to decide if the student will take classes within the regular education curriculum to meet graduation requirements.

Self-Contained Class
Special Education classes with a small number of students and taught by the same special education teacher throughout the school day are available for students who function best in a small group, structured setting. In these classes, specialized instruction is provided across the school day. Classes exist for students with significant emotional/behavioral concerns, students with very significant academic challenges, and students who require a functional curriculum that differs from the regular curriculum. Students in self-contained classes participate in regular education classes and activities to the extent possible.

Transition Program
This program serves 18 to 21-year-old students who are preparing to transition from the school environment. Work and social skills are emphasized. The Transition Program is located in a house within District 200 where students learn household tasks, how to participate in leisure activities, and how to apply academic skills to everyday living. Some students learn to use public transportation and to access resources in the community such as grocery stores and restaurants. Many students in the Transition Program enroll in courses at the College of DuPage and spend part of their day at COD. Most often, they are enrolled in recreational type classes. The Vocational Coordinator and Job Coach aid students in finding employment and learning job skills.