Special Education
Rutland CCSD 230 provides a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities who are eligible from 3 years of age through 8th grade.
Child Find
Under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the qualifying disabilities are: autism, visual impairment, hearing impairment, intellectual impairment, orthopedic impairment, emotional disability, specific learning disability, speech/language impairment, traumatic brain injury, developmental delay, multiple disabilities, deafness, deaf-blindness, and other health impairment. To qualify for services under IDEA, a qualifying disability must adversely impact the student's educational progress and require specially designed instruction. It is important to note that not all students with a disability will be eligible for special education services.
Early Childhood
Students between the ages of 3-5 years old who reside within the Rutland CCSD 230 district boundaries may participate in a developmental screening offered by the LaSalle-Putnam Education Alliance for Special Education (L.E.A.S.E.) CLICK HERE to be redirected to their website.
The LEASE Preschool Team assists local education agencies and districts by conducting Child Find activities. During a screening, fine motor, readiness/cognition, gross motor, speech/language, hearing and vision skills are briefly assessed. Click on the links below for more information:
Screening and Assessment Process
School-Aged Children
For students who are currently attending a school within the District's boundaries, the school team or parent may request that the child be formally evaluated to determine if the child is eligible for special education services. If a parent suspects that their child has a disability, a letter should be submitted to the building principal that outlines their concern and request for an evaluation. If the child is a home-schooled student, the request should be sent to our Student Services office by emailing the office administrative assistant at msons@wallacegs.org or calling their office at (815) 433-2649. To determine whether the student requires an evaluation, the school team may utilize screening data, prior standardized assessments, current grades, social emotional information and progress monitoring data if applicable.
Evaluation Procedures
In order to receive special education services, a comprehensive evaluation of the student must be completed. The evaluation process follows defined regulations to determine if a child has a disability and if the child requires special education and related services. During the evaluation process, the District must consider the need to complete assessments in the following domains:
academic performance
functional performance
cognitive functioning
communication
health
hearing and vision
motor abilities
social/emotional status
Parents must sign consent for the evaluation process to begin. Then, the school team must complete the evaluation and convene a meeting within 60 school days.
At this meeting, the results of the evaluation will be reviewed and considered by the school team and the child's parent/guardian(s). These results will be utilized to determine whether the child is, or continues to be, eligible for special education and related services as a child with a disability as defined by federal and state law and the child's educational needs. A copy of this full eligibility report will be provided to the parents.
Special Education and Related Services
If a child is found eligible for special education services, an Individualized Education Plan will be developed. This plan will outline specific goals, accommodations and services that are needed to provide the student with a free and appropriate public education.
Students who qualify for special education services may require related services to benefit from special education. These services may be provided by speech and language pathologists, school social workers, school psychologists, hearing itinerants, vision itinerants, teachers, occupational therapists, or physical therapists. It is important to note that related services are determined based on educational needs and differ in eligibility and services.
PUNS
PUNS stands for “Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services”. PUNS is a statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are planning for or seeking services. The state's Division of Developmental Disabilities uses the data to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs.
The Understanding PUNS Guide is included with the procedural safeguards and linked HERE
Rutland CCSD 230 PUNS Coordinator
Tom Jeppson, Principal - tjeppson@rutlandgs.org
Who Qualifies for the PUNS List?
All people on the PUNS List must have “developmental disabilities”. There is no age or income requirement. To apply, you and your child with special needs will schedule a meeting with a pre-admission screener at a local coordination agency. You will answer questions about your child and his or her needs. The screener can help you determine if your child has special needs that qualify as a developmental disability.
PUNS Sign-Up
Individual, families, and guardians (if applicable) who want to register on the PUNS database should contact their Independent Service Coordination agency. To find your local ISC Agency, check online here or call 1-888-DD-PLANS and 1-866-376-8446 (TTY).
LINKS
ISBE Parent Guide to Special Education - - Educational Rights & Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois
ISBE Parent Notice of Procedural Safeguards - - Notice of Procedural Safeguards for Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities