Special Education Services: Description of Programs

Rich Township High Schools, District 227

Handicapped students have the right to a free, appropriate education. This education is individualized and provided at the home campus whenever possible. All special education programs in District 227 are operated under the guidelines set forth by the Illinois Office of Education and the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

Students are eligible for special education services if they exhibit one or more of the following handicaps: hearing impairments/deafness, mental retardation, physical handicaps, learning disabilities, speech defects, sight impairments/blindness, behavior disorders, emotional disturbance, communication disorders, and health impairments. The needs of a student are identified via a case study which consists of past performance, current testing, and parent, student, and staff input.

Multidisciplinary conferences are established to determine eligibility. formulate the student's individualized educational program (IEP), and consider placements. Selection of appropriate courses will be completed by the special education staff, counselors, student, and parent/guardian.

On Campus

Less severe cases receive remedial and tutoring support services under the supervision of resource or itinerant personnel while enrolled in the regular program.

Students with more severe characteristics are enrolled in cross categorical programs which provide adapted instruction for all or most of the student's educational day.

A complete vocational program is available for eligible students. Special education students are involved in regular education academic and extra curricular programs as much as possible.

Medically and physically handicapped students are encouraged to participate in the regular school program whenever possible. Support services are coordinated by counselors, nurses, and other school officials.

Home/Hospital instruction is provided for any student with a health or physical impairment which will cause an absence from school for more than two consecutive weeks. Parents should obtain medical certification from their physician and return it to the campus Pupil Personnel Office to initiate services.

Psychological testing and social work services are available when necessary.

Out of District

Special education programming for students who have severe and profound and/or low incidence handicaps is provided with assistance from the SPEED Cooperative, or other public and private schools. Students are referred to these off-campus programs only when severe or unique problems of their handicapping conditions reflect a need for intensified services that are not available at the home campus. Tuition and transportation for these programs are provided by the district.

Contact the campus Pupil Personnel Service Department at any of the schools or the District Office of Special Education for more information (c/o Rich Central High School, (708) 748-8281).