FAQ

What is co-teaching?

Co-Teaching.mp4

What Should I Bring to an IEP meeting?

    1. A notepad & pen: while you will receive a copy of the IEP document with notes from the meeting, you may want to write a few personal notes down during the meeting as well.
    2. A list: you may have questions for the team even before coming to the meeting, write these questions down beforehand to help you remember during the meeting.
    3. A folder/binder: at the end of every meeting you will receive paperwork about your child's IEP, it is important to have a place to put all of this from over the years.

Who is a Part of my Child's IEP Team?

IEP teams vary depending on the students needs. One person that will always be apart of your child's IEP team is YOU! Parents are equal members on an IEP team. Other members of the team include: a special education teacher, a general education teacher, a school administrator, and any related service providers that work with your child.

Why Does My Child Need Speech?

Students come to speech for a variety of reasons; however the ultimate goal is the same for all students - improving Communication Skills. Children who receive speech services in a school setting do so because their speech needs impact their ability to access their curriculum; it affects their school day in some way. This could be in spelling, communicating so they are understood by peers and adults, or reading to name a few. This is different from a clinic or private setting, where students can be seen for any speech need they may have. Please find more information on why your child might need speech here.

What is the Difference Between a 504 Plan and an IEP?

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education. Section 504 establishes a student’s right to full access and participation to education and all school-related activities and requires schools to provide appropriate accommodations to meet the individual needs of qualified students. An IEP is a written document for a child with a disability who is eligible for special education in accordance with IDEA. A 504 Plan describes how the district will support the student to provide access to school programs, where an IEP outlines the specific special education services a student is eligible for and will receive.

Where can I Find Additional Information About Special Education?

The Illinois State Board of Education has created a parent resource guide Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois. You can find the manual here.


What is Response to Intervention (RtI)/Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)?

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) defines RtI as:

The practice of providing high-quality instruction and intervention matched to student need, monitoring progress frequently to make decisions about change in instruction or goals and applying child response data to important educational decisions.

Please find an overview of RtI here.

I want to learn more and get more information, what can I do?

Attend one of the District 64 Special Education Parent Group meetings, currently being held once a month at Lincoln. For more information, visit the Special Education Parent Group website.

Please also check out this handout from "Super Duper Handy Handouts."