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ISBE Procedural Safeguards (Revised June 2022)

Section 504 Policy, Procedures, and Procedural Safeguards

Authorization for Release/Exchange of Information

The Department of Student Services, Equity & Inclusion provides a multidisciplinary team approach when evaluating students to determine need for specialized instruction and/or serviceThis team approach is sustained when providing special education services to children who meet eligibility requirements. Special education services are available to all students who may qualify from age three through the completion of eighth grade. Our goal is to provide an appropriate level of services and supports that will enable each student to demonstrate academic growth. We believe that a collaborative partnership between school and home will best serve all students who attend Winnetka Public Schools. We are committed to:

Identifying students who may need specialized instruction early and then developing appropriate interventions as warranted.
Creating and implementing Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) for students who require special education services.
Providing a continuum of services within the least restrictive environment (LRE) where students who require special education services will have opportunity to receive instruction in general education classrooms to the greatest extent possible.

Referral

Any student who is experiencing difficulties in school may be referred to the school student support team (SST) by a teacher, parent, or principal. The team will review the referral information and collaborate with the classroom teacher to develop appropriate classroom interventions and strategies. The problem solving team will also determine when the need for evaluation is warranted. When evaluation for special education eligibility is considered, parents will be notified and will participate in the process of determining what types of evaluation may be appropriate. This process will include acquisition of written parental consent before any evaluation is initiated.

Eligibility

Eligibility for special education services is determined via a school-based team assessment process that may include data collected from Multi-Tier System of Support (MTSS), formal and informal evaluation measures, classroom observations, and student record reviews. Information from independent evaluations will also be considered during the eligibility process. Eligibility for special education services is based upon the student's educational needs, the adverse affect any disability may have on academic performance, and whether students meet eligibility criteria as established by state and federal guidelines. When the evaluation process has been completed, parents will be invited to attend a formal meeting where the assessment data is presented and reviewed, and special education eligibility is determined. If the student is eligible for special education services, an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) will be developed.

Integrated Service Delivery Model

This is a visual representation of the placements in which special education services can be provided. The glossary offers basic definitions of placements and other relevant services outlined in this visual representation. A team of individuals makes the determination of where special education services will be offered. This is based on student goal areas and the recommended minutes of services needed to meet these goals. Our goal is to provide services within an integrated service delivery model where students are educated with their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible.

In addition to the visual continuum, here are special education service descriptors.

If you have questions about the evaluation process and/or supports or services that may be available to your child, please contact your building principal or the Director of Student Services.

Notices

Service Logs for Related Services

Students with disabilities may receive related services as part of their individual education programs (IEPs). The Winnetka Public Schools will maintain related service logs that record the type and number of minutes of the related service(s) administered to such students. Copies of any related service logs will be available to parents/guardians at their child’s annual review IEP meeting. Parents/guardians of students with disabilities may also request copies of their child’s related service logs at any time.

Interpreters for Special Education/504 Meetings

Effective June 10, 2022, school districts must provide qualified interpreters for parents who do not normally speak English, and licensed interpreters for deaf parents, at multidisciplinary meetings, mediations, Section 504 meetings and due process hearings. If you would like to request an interpreter for any of these meetings, please contact Carolin Huh, Administrative Assistant for the Department of Student Services at (847) 501-2735 or carolinhuh@winnetka36.org.

District Services for Preschool-Aged Children

District families with children ages 3, 4 or 5 years old who are concerned regarding their child’s development may request an early childhood screening. District 36 is partnering with TrueNorth (formerly NSSED) for screenings, and they are held monthly by TrueNorth. The screening is a quick assessment of motor skills, cognitive and pre academic skills, and speech/language development. Results from this screening will determine if further evaluation is warranted.

To request a screening, please complete this form.

TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 (formerly NSSED)

The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 is a member of the TrueNorth (formerly NSSED) special education cooperative. TrueNorth provides specialized programming and services to our students who require more support than that typically offered in a public school. This includes, but is not limited to, early childhood programs, educational and life skills (ELS) programs, therapeutic day school programs, services for students who have autism spectrum disorders. Assistive technology assessments and services are also available. TrueNorth also provides professional development opportunities and consultation services to school faculty and staff.

Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO)

The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 is a member of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO). NSSEO provides diagnostic and itinerant services for students who have hearing impairments and also provides specialized programs for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Homebound instruction

Any student who is expected to be absent from school for two or more consecutive weeks for medical reasons may be eligible for homebound instruction. A medical referral is warranted for this support. The form for medical certification for home/hospital instruction can be found here. Please contact your student's building principal for more information about homebound services.

If you have any questions about the programs of services that are offered at Winnetka Public Schools, please call Denise Matthews, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Equity & Inclusion at denisematthews@winnetka36.org or call 847-446-9400 ext. 2622

Proportionate Share (Private and Homeschooled Students)

A student who attends a private, parochial or is home schooled within the boundaries of Winnetka School District 36 is eligible for consideration for a special education evaluation and services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). IDEA 2004-Section 612 requires each public school district to utilize a portion of its Federal Part B special education funds in order to provide students with disabilities, who attend private schools within the boundaries of the district, the opportunity to equitably participate in special education and services offered by the district. When there is reason to believe that a student may have a disability requiring special education and related services, the student can be referred for a special education evaluation. Referral may be made by any concerned person, including school personnel, the parent/guardian of the student, an employee of a community service agency, professional having knowledge of a students' challenges, a student, or an employee of the Illinois State Board of Education. Students who attend private schools receive an Individual Service Plan if they are found eligible for special education services.

Timely and Meaningful Consultation

Each year, the principals of the private schools in Winnetka School District 36 are invited to a meeting at the District Office in which information about plans for working with students with disabilities in the upcoming school year are discussed. This meeting is called the Timely and Meaningful Consultation (TMC). At the TMC, information is shared pertaining to how students who are suspected of having one or more disabilities may access the District programs to address the nature and scope of the disabilities.

Parents of students attending a private or parochial school or students who are home-schooled and need further information regarding services for their child should contact the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Equity & Inclusion.

Section 504

Students who may qualify under 504 must meet eligibility guidelines of: having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of physical or mental impairment; or is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment. Contact the building principal or the Director of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion for additional information..

Early Entrance

The deadline for applications is March 31 for consideration of early entrance for the following school year. Early Entrance applies to Kindergarten and 1st Grade.

Early Entrance into Kindergarten: Your child's 5th birthday must fall between September 2 and October 31 of the school year term. We will not assess or consider children for early entrance whose birthday falls after October 31 of the school year term.

Early Entrance into First Grade: Your child's 6th birthday must fall between September 2 and December 31 of that school year term. We will not assess or consider children whose birthday falls after December 31 of the school year term.

Click here to begin the Early Entrance application process.

Education of Homeless Children

Click here to access School Board Policy 6:140, which addresses the enrollment and registration of homeless children as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Click here to access McKinney-Vento Fact Sheet. The Homeless Liaison for District 36 is Denise Matthews, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Equity & Inclusion. Please contact Denise with any questions at 847-446-9400 ext. 2622 or denisematthews@winnetka36.org.

EL/Multilingual Students

The Winnetka School District's student population includes many students with linguistically diverse backgrounds, with over_____ languages represented. The Multilingual Learners program (often referred to as the EL program) provides supplemental support to students who are non-native speakers of English.

Students for whom another language is identified on the Home Language Survey take a screener to assess their level of English proficiency. The EL program employs two certified EL teachers and one teaching assistant to support the needs of students in the District.

Each Winter, English Learners (EL) in grades kindergarten through eighth grade participate in the administration of the ACCESS for ELLs® language proficiency test. ACCESS provides a standardized measurement of academic language proficiency for multilingual students throughout the state of Illinois and in other states. Students who qualify for supplemental support receive additional instruction, either in class or outside of class, individually or in small groups to target the identified areas of need in English language development.