Special Education

Special education is a set of specially designed instruction and related services developed to meet the unique educational needs of an eligible student.

A comprehensive evaluation process is conducted to determine whether a student is eligible for special education services. To be eligible, a student must:

• Meet the criteria for one or more disability categories established by the IDEA;
• Demonstrate that the disability adversely affects the student's educational performance; and
• Require specially designed instruction as a result of the disability.

Eligibility decisions are made collaboratively by the IEP team, which includes the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) and qualified school personnel. It is important to note that not every student with a disability is eligible for special education services.

Students may be found eligible under one or more of the following disability categories:

• Autism
• Deaf-Blindness
• Deafness
• Developmental Delay
• Emotional Disability
• Hearing Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Disabilities
• Orthopedic Impairment
• Other Health Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech or Language Impairment
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Visual Impairment, Including Blindness

Parents, guardians, and school staff who have concerns about a student's educational progress or suspect a disability may request an evaluation. Parents wishing to request an evaluation should contact their child's building principal or school counselor, who will assist in initiating the referral process and answering questions about the evaluation procedures.

If a student is determined eligible for special education, the IEP team develops an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a document that outlines the student's present levels of performance, annual goals, accommodations, modifications, related services, placement, and specially designed instruction necessary to provide the student with FAPE.

The IEP is reviewed at least annually.

Special education services are individualized based on each student's unique educational needs and are determined by the IEP team.

In addition to specially designed instruction, students may receive related services that support their ability to benefit from special education. Related services may include, but are not limited to:

• Speech-Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• School Social Work Services
• Nursing and Health Services
• Assistive Technology
• Orientation and Mobility Services
• Transportation
• Adaptive Physical Education
• Other services determined necessary by the IEP team

Related services are educationally based and are provided to support the student's access to and progress within their educational program. Eligibility for school-based related services differs from eligibility for medical or private therapy services.

East Aurora School District 131 provides a full continuum of special education services to ensure that each student is educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate to their individual needs.

Services may be provided in a variety of settings, including:

• General education classrooms with supports
• Co-taught classrooms
• Resource services
• Specialized instructional classrooms
• Therapeutic or specialized district programs
• Out-of-district placements, when determined appropriate by the IEP team

The majority of students receive services within their neighborhood school. Specialized programs are available throughout the district for students requiring more intensive instruction, smaller class sizes, or specialized methodologies. Placement decisions are made individually based on each student's educational needs and are reviewed regularly by the IEP team.

Parents and guardians have the right to meaningfully participate in their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 meeting. If you require an interpreter because your primary language is not English or you use sign language, the District will provide qualified interpreter services at no cost to you.

If you would like an interpreter for an upcoming IEP or Section 504 meeting, please notify your child's case manager or building administrator as soon as possible so arrangements can be made. The district is committed to ensuring that all families have equal access to information and can actively participate in educational decision-making for their child.

East Aurora School District 131 will provide the parent or guardian of a student with an individualized education plan (IEP), a copy of related service logs within ten business days of the request. Additionally, a parent or guardian may request to view or receive a copy of their child’s student records at any time and the District will provide the records within ten business days of the request. All requests for related service logs and/or student records should be made to the Student Services Department at 630-299-5550.

Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) is a database of Illinois children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities who want or need developmental disability services. The PUNS database helps the Division of Developmental Disabilities identify and plan for your services. Registering in PUNS is the first and most important step you and your family can take to receive Home and Community Based Waiver services from the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Developmental Disabilities. Parents who need help understanding the PUNS database, the steps needed to register students, how to contact the appropriate developmental disabilities Independent Service Coordination Agency (ISC), and the documentation and information parents/guardians will need for the registration process, may contact the following East Aurora School District 131 designated PUNS trained staff for assistance:

HOW DO MEDICAID AND ILLINOIS SCHOOLS WORK TOGETHER?

The State of Illinois participates in a federal program called Medicaid School-Based Services. This program helps school districts by allowing them to receive reimbursement for medical services provided to students with disabilities, as documented on the child's Individual Education Program (IEP). School districts frequently utilize this Medicaid reimbursement to help meet the costs of providing special education services.

WHO CAN THE DISTRICT SUBMIT REIMBURSEMENT FOR?

While medical services will be provided to all students with disabilities, school districts may only receive reimbursement for services provided to students who are Medicaid-eligible.

WHAT SERVICES DOES MEDICAID COVER?

• Occupational Therapy
• Nursing Services
• Psychological Services
• Audiology Services
• School Health Aides
• Physical Therapy
• Speech/Language Services
• Social Work Services
• Special Transportation
• Screenings/Evaluations

WHY DOES THE DISTRICT NEED PARENTAL CONSENT?

Federal special education law requires school districts to seek parental consent before submitting bills for reimbursement from public insurers such as Medicaid. East Aurora School District 131 is required to obtain your written permission to release information to Medicaid before the District can submit any information for billing purposes.

IS THERE ANY COST TO ME?

No. Services provided to a student within a school setting are provided at no cost to the parent/guardian.

WILL THIS IMPACT MY CHILD'S MEDICAID BENEFITS?

Granting permission for the District to bill Medicaid will not reduce your ability to seek other Medicaid covered health-related services outside the school setting. This permission will not decrease lifetime coverage, increase premiums, or lead to the discontinuation of benefits, as Medicaid does not have a maximum number of eligible visits or a lifetime maximum for services.

WHO WILL SEE THIS INFORMATION?

Your student's demographic (i.e., name and DOB) and related service information will be shared with our billing agent and HFS (Healthcare and Family Services) to verify Medicaid eligibility and submit claims.

WHAT IF I DO NOT GRANT CONSENT? OR WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time. Your child's free appropriate public education and related services will continue regardless of consent, refusal of consent, or withdrawal.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

Please contact the Student Services Department at 630-299-5550.

Students who do not qualify for special education under IDEA may still be eligible for accommodations and services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

A student may qualify for a Section 504 Plan if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having such an impairment. Section 504 plans provide accommodations and supports that ensure students have equal access to educational opportunities.

The district evaluates each student individually to determine eligibility and appropriate accommodations based on educational need.