Mackinaw Valley Special Education Association

Serving Unit 5 and El Paso-Gridley District 11

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Eugene Field Special Services Center   ~   412 E. Cypress St.  Normal, IL  61761   ~   (309) 454-2220
 

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Hello and welcome to a new school year,

Inclusive practices- We have implemented the return home of several students at the start of this year. We will continue to monitor their progress and work with staff and parents on their success. We are continuing to plan the second phase of implementing for the 2010-11 school year. We will keep working with school staff and designing training for people to be able to support students in their home schools, as appropriate.

New software support- We have purchased and will be implementing many new software supports for students as part of the district’s overall RtI (Response to Intervention) approach. Software is available for reading and writing support and we will be implementing a math software shortly. The softwares are district-wide and are intended for all students within the district. The titles include: Lexia, Write Out Loud, Reading Plus, Kurzweil, and Fastt Math.

RtI- (Response to Intervention) This is a new approach that is mandated to be in effect in school districts in 2010-11. We have been working with staff to complete training, design interventions and change operations to address this new system. Unit #5 has employed support staff to assist schools in implementing interventions and supports and conduct training. El Paso has purchsed new computer software and hardware to better monitor student progress and examine data for making decisions. In special education, we will need to design how eligibility practices will be changed and how supports are delivered to students.

We hope your year has started well and look forward to meeting the challenges of the upcoming year. Hope things are going well in the education of your child and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Special Education Rights Guide Update

The 2009 Special Education Rights Guide, Educational Rights and Responsibilities:  Understanding Special Education in Illinois, is now available.  This document is a major rewrite of the 2001 A Parents’ Guide:  The Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities. The guide was collaboratively developed and reviewed by the Parent Task Force on Accessible Special Education Materials, parent leaders, special education administrators, parent and advocacy organizations, and the Illinois State Board of Education. 

The 2009 edition has been designed to serve as a useful resource to both parents and school personnel.  The guide includes a comprehensive narrative outlining the principal rights and procedures for special education.  To maximize user-friendliness, the guide allows the reader to obtain a detailed overview of special education as a whole, or to research a specific topic. 

Click here for a PDF version of the Guide.  Questions may be directed to Special Education Services staff at 217-782-5589 or via the agency toll-free number at 866-262-6663.

 

 McLean County Diversity Project

Click here to read about the latest information at the Diversity Project.  The Project takes on many themes, including The Diversity of Disability.

 

Family Support Network Members

Click here to read about the Network's current projects and news.  Be sure to check out www.lifemyway.org

 

Click on and check out "Bits About Autism"

Bits About Autism is a new newsletter developed by Unit 5's Department of Special Education Autism Team.  Each issue will offer a specific topic, in this issue that topic is Positive Behavioral Intervention.  You can read all about what this topic is, why it is important, what research says about Positive Behavioral Intervention and where to get additional information.  Check back here for future newsletters.  Click above on "Bits About Autism" to read the newsletter.

 

Illinois Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services - Illinois PUNS

The Illinois PUNS is a waiting list of individuals with developmental delays that have unmet needs.  These individuals are looking for supports or services within the next 5 years.  Supports include in-home or home based supports, developmental training ("workshop") and residential services. It focuses on what an individual is receiving currently, what supports they would like or need and how soon they are looking for these supports.  Individuals can be added to the waiting list starting at 3 years old, again if supports are needed within the next 5 years.  For more information on PUNS, such as how to complete an application and PUNS criteria please click here.

 

New Inclusive Practices in Unit 5

Click on the link below to view Unit 5's plan to provide inclusive practices District wide.

Unit 5 Inclusive Practices Plan

 

 
       
 
 
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