Special Education

The link is for parents to participate in the Indicator 8 Parent Involvement Survey: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/SPP-APR-Indicator-8.aspx.

PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES 

The Granite City School District offers a full continuum of services for those eligible for special education and related services. Parent(s) who believe that their child may require special services should contact the local building principal or Director of Special Education. If it is determined that a case study evaluation is needed to determine eligibility for special education services, parent(s) will be required to consent to such a case study evaluation being conducted and have the right to a report of the evaluation information and attend any meetings to determine eligibility for services. If parents have questions regarding their child’s referral for a case study evaluation, please direct questions to the Director of Special Education. 

1. NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROVIDE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SCREENING SERVICES 
The Granite City School District provides a comprehensive program of speech and language services in accordance with state and federal regulations. 

2. NOTICE OF INTENT TO OFFER HOME/HOSPITAL INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES 
If a child has a temporary physical or health impairment which his/her physician estimates will require a minimum of ten days absence from school, he/she may be eligible for homebound or hospital instruction. Please contact the Director of Special Education to discuss these procedures. 

3. SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA) 
Complaints alleging violations of rights accorded parents and eligible special education students shall be referred to the Director of Special Education. The Director will work with the parents and building principal to resolve the issues and concerns. If the issues cannot be resolved, the parent has the right to request mediation and or pursue a due process hearing. Please refer to the procedural safeguards provided to parents on, at least, an annual basis. For further questions please contact the Director of Special Education. 

4. ACCOMMODATIONS/ACCESSIBILITY
A student that does not qualify for special education services under IDEA still may qualify for services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, if the disability is shown to substantially limit his or her educational performance.

A child with a disability is one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities, such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. Accommodations often refer to building accessibility, classroom adjustments and curriculum modifications and may be updated or revised as the need changes.
34 CFR § 104.3 (j) defines a handicapped person with rights under the Rehabilitation Act as any person who:

• Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, 
• Has a record of such an impairment, or 
• Is regarded as having such an impairment.

5. CONFERENCES/OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS 
Should anyone require special hearing assistance devices or an interpreter (TTD, TTY, etc) for parent conferences, school-wide/district-wide meetings, etc., he/she should call the Director of Special Education, at least five (5) working days in advance of the date of the meeting or event. Similarly, if anyone desires to receive information that is distributed by the school district in Braille, large print, or on audio cassette, he/she should also notify the Director of Special Education of such needs. 

6. RELATED SERVICES
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the District must provide students with disabilities with appropriate special education and related services to address their educational needs. If your student receives related services from the District through their Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) document, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, nursing services, and speech and language therapy, you may request copies of related service logs

7. DISCIPLINE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS 
All discipline procedures for special education students shall be in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and its implementing regulations. 

8. MEDICAID FUNDING 
In order to maximize available financial assistance for the operation of the district’s special education programs, GCSD9 does apply for Medicaid funding for eligible students. If parents have any concerns regarding the district accessing these funds, please contact the Director of Special Education.

9. NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Notice is hereby given that Granite City School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to its programs and activities.

* Updated August 1, 2024