• Special Education
    District 31 services children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 15 who have been evaluated and identified as requiring special education services based on State and Federal criteria. Students can receive services if found eligible under the category of autism; deaf-blindness; emotional disturbance; hearing impairment; intellectual disability; speech or language impairment; other health impairment, traumatic brain injury; or visual impairment (including blindness).

    504 Plans
    Students who qualify for a 504 Plan based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disability Act are provided accommodations to ensure equal participation in the school setting. A student with a disability under this Act has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities such as self-care; performing mental or physical manual tasks, walking, seeing hearing, speaking breathing, learning and working. Accommodations may include: extra time, testing in a separate location, specialized equipment, and preferential seating.

    Students with Disabilities
    District 31 complies with the provisions of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and provides a Free Appropriate Public Education, (FAPE). Special education and related services are provided to address the adverse effect(s) of the disability on a student’s education. Students already identified as having a disability and receiving special education services are provided with an Individual Education Program (IEP) created by student’s educational team and parents. Careful consideration and planning occurs during the student’s IEP meeting to ensure the student’s needs are being met in the Least Restrictive Environment.

    Notice to Parents/ Guardians of Children with Disabilities
    In accordance with Public Act 101—0515, the West Northfield District31 is providing notice to parents/guardians regarding their rights in relation to the provision of related services to students who are eligible for special education under IDEA. The West Northfield School District 31 will maintain related service logs that record the type and number of minutes of the related service(s) administered to your child. You may request a copy of the related service logs at any time. If you would like to receive copies of your child’s related service logs, please direct your request to your child’s IEP case manager and/or special education teacher  

    View Special Education Procedure Manual 

    Parent Rights 
    After receiving a request for an evaluation, District 31 will determine whether an evaluation is warranted within 14 days. Click the link below for the Notice of Procedural Safeguards for Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities.  Click here for information.

    Parent Partnership Meetings
    Learn about meetings and presentations meant to help families of Special Education Students. Learn more here. 

    Discipline of Special Education Students
    District 31 complies with the provisions of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when disciplining special education students. No special education student shall be expelled if the student’s particular act of gross disobedience or misconduct is a manifestation of his or her disability.

    If a student is suspended for less than 10 days, the District shall follow the same due process procedures as are applicable to non-handicapped students and the District 31 Student Board of Education policy.

    Resources
    ISBE 2020 -2021 FAQ for Parents of Students with Disabilities
    ISBE Parent Guide for Special Education

    *Please contact Dr. Janine Gruhn with any questions you may have regarding the District 31 Special Education Department. jgruhn@district31.net 847-313-4411.