• Special Education Services

    The Jefferson Early Childhood Center in District 200 provides services to meet the needs of children between the ages of 3 and 5 who experience educational challenges and are found eligible for special education services. Students are found eligible for special education services following an evaluation if they exhibit deficits that impede their learning. Areas of eligibility include emotional disorders, mental impairment, speech and language disorders, hearing impairment, vision impairment, traumatic brain injury, physical/health impairment, autism and developmental delay. All children who reside in District 200 (including private school students) are entitled to evaluation and special education services if found eligible.  
     
    General Education Class
     

    Students are provided with a preschool experience which consists of a developmentally appropriate curriculum and is aligned to the Illinois Early Learning Standards. Each preschool class has 17 students. Classes are comprised of 11 typically developing peers along with 6 students who quality for special education services.

     

    Classes are taught by teachers who are certified in Early Childhood, Special Education and have an ESL endorsement.  The preschool operates morning and afternoon sessions following the District 200 calendar.  Classes are held four days per week, Tuesday through Friday.

    Morning Session: 9:15 am - 11:45 am
    Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

     

     
    Resource Level of Support
    Special education support is provided for 60% or less of the day in a general education preschool classroom. Special education services are provided on a pullout, push-in and/or consulting basis according to each child's individualized educational plan (IEP).  Bus transportation is available to and from school within District #200 boundaries.
    Instructional Level of Support
    Special education support is provided for more than 61% of the child’s educational day outside a general education class.

    Itinerant Speech and Language Services
    Children with mild to moderate speech and/or language disorders receive services from a speech /language pathologist typically between 20-40 minutes per week either individually or in small groups (2-3) depending on the child's specific needs. This service is provided at Madison Elementary School in Wheaton.  Students who pay tuition to attend a general education class at Jefferson preschool are able to receive this service during their school day at Jefferson.  Parents are responsible for providing transportation for their child.

     
    Instructional Class
    All students in this class qualify for special education services for more than 61% of their educational day in a small structured special education classroom. The student may also participate in some general education activities such as gym/motor time, and other activities as indicated in their IEP.  The maximum number of students in the class is10.  This program operates 4 days per week, 2 ½ hours per day, from Tuesday through Friday.  Bus transportation is available to and from school within the District #200 boundaries.

     
    • Speech and language therapy.
    • Counseling by the school social worker.
    • Support and instruction from a vision or hearing specialist.
    • Occupational therapy.
    • Physical therapy.
    • Specialized nursing.
    • Assistive technology.
    • Behavior management plans.
     
     
Last Modified on March 2, 2021