The law requires the district to identify and assess all students within the district from 3 to 21 years of age who may have disabilities, and then provide appropriate programs and/or related services to those eligible. These services are provided based on the individual needs of the student and the recommendation of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, a legal document that describes how CMSD201-U provides services to students with exceptional needs. Programs and services are provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), which was signed into law in 2004.
The Special Education Department provides district-wide support and technical assistance regarding the design and implementation of effective educational programs for students with special needs. In meeting the requirements of the Least Restrictive Environment section of IDEIA '04 the Board continues to embrace the support of inclusive instructional practices. These practices are designed to provide special education services within the context of the general education classroom to the greatest extent possible. This means that students with special needs will be in membership with a general education classroom and will receive appropriate recommended individualized educational services with general and special educators working as a collaborative team. If a student's needs cannot be met with support at his/her neighborhood school, the educational team will determine an appropriate, least restrictive service delivery option that best addresses his/her current needs.
A continuum of special education services is available to support the education of children with disabilities. Services are provided for children from 3 to 21 years of age who qualify under one or more of the following eligibility categories:
- Developmental Delay (3-9)
- Speech/Language Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Other Health Impairment
- Autism
- Cognitive Disability
- Emotional Disability
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- Hearing Impairment
- Deafness
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Visual Impairment
- Blindness
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Multiple Disabilities
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Social work, psychological services, speech/language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, and adaptive physical education are some of the related services provided as individual student needs deem appropriate. District 201-U is currently a participating member of the SPEED Special Education Cooperative that provides services for children with low-incidence disabilities.
For questions regarding the Crete-Monee Special Education Department, please call (708) 367-8240.