Mission Statement

The mission of special education at IVC is to educate children with disabilities in the regular classroom when appropriate and to provide specialized instruction when needed.

The following statements support this mission:

Students will be provided the opportunity to become productive, participating members of the community through specialized instruction that is individualized, objective based and skill oriented.

An inclusive environment is one that is accepting, collaborative, supportive and integrative, providing equal access to opportunities in general education that are based on an individual child’s needs.

A regular education teacher and special education teacher will communicate and collaborate on how to plan, coordinate and execute any modifications or adaptations that will assist the student in being successful in the least restrictive environment.

Staff development is essential for progress and is vital to the development of evolving professional roles.

Parent and family involvement and partnership with the school community are essential to individual student progress.

Early Childhood

The Early Childhood class designed to meet the needs of preschool children with disabilities in a structured language-based setting with integrated therapies. Children must be found eligible for services and then an IEP (Individual Education Plan) is written to meet the student’s educational needs.

Special Education Programs and Services

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004, District #321 is participating is Child Find efforts to locate, evaluate and identify all children from birth through 21 years of age, regardless of their situations, who have significant, individual needs and require intensive interventions through special education and related services.

All students identified with a disability have an IEP developed by the IEP team to meet that child’s educational needs. In accordance with federal mandate under IDEA and State of Illinois Rules and Regulations, student will be educated in the least restrictive environment. We intend to meet individual needs based on assessments for learning and provide research-based instruction and interventions. We will identify the specific needs of each student in order to determine teaching and learning priorities and the effectiveness of instructional methods. Our first placement consideration is always the general education classroom with the use of supplementary aids, accommodations and modifications as appropriate for each individual student. We also have available special education classes for small group instruction when warranted to provide direct instruction or incorporate other necessary supports.

Support Services:

State Services

Speech

School Social Work

School Psychologist

Special Activities

Ghost Buddies is an IVC High School organization whose mission is to match students with disabilities with students from general education to create one-to-one friendships. The activities and relationships not only enhances the lives of people with disabilities, but it also provides leadership and volunteer opportunities for those general education students to get involved.

Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA): HISRA is the result of a desire on the part of the Chillicothe Park district in a cooperative extension with the Peoria, Morton, and Washington Park Districts to provide quality recreational programs and services to individuals with disabilities and special needs. HISRA and its member districts enthusiastically support the spirit and intent of the Americans With Disabilities Act. HISRA is committed to providing opportunities for each individual to enjoy recreation activities in the least restrictive environment possible.

HISRA Website