Special Services

Kirby School District 140 provides a free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities who are three years of age and older. The District provides programs and appropriate related services for students who have been identified as needing such services in order to have access to and gain benefit from the regular education curricula. If you feel that your child may have a disability that is interfering with his/her education, please contact your building principal. If you have any questions concerning special education programs and services or concerning the educational rights of students with disabilities, please contact the Department of Special Services at 708-532-8537.

For additional information, please click on the links below:

• Educational Rights and Responsibilities:Understanding Special Education in Illinois
• Notice of Procedural Safeguards for Parents/Guardians of Students with Disabilities

Working together, our goal is the realization of your child's academic and social growth.

Special Services and Referrals

District 140 provides special education and related services to students who are identified as having a recognized disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-2004) or handicapped under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students who may be eligible and in need of special services may be identified through the District screening process or by referral. Students who do not qualify for an Individualized Education Program may be eligible for services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

As a parent, should you have reason to believe that your child may be entitled to special education services, you may request an evaluation. To request an evaluation, please address a letter to your building principal including the following information: name, age, and grade of your child, the reason you are requesting an evaluation, and your complete name and address.

Any questions you may have regarding the referral process or the District's special education services may be directed to your Building Principal or to the Assistant Superintendent of Special Services, Dr. Mary Dwyer. Dr. Dwyer can be reached via email or by phone at 708-532-6462. 

Resource Program

The Resource Program is designed for students with a disability(s) who receive specialized instruction for less than 60% of the school day. Related services may be required to assist the student to benefit from special education. Students receive instruction in a variety of settings--general education classroom or resource room. Adaptations and accommodations of general education curriculum may occur according to the individual needs of the students as determined at an IEP meeting.

Instructional Program

The Instructional Program is designed for students with a disability(s) who receive specialized instruction for more than 61% of the school day. Related services may be required to assist the student to benefit from special education. Adaptation and accommodations of the general education curriculum may not be adequate to meet the student's educational needs. The curriculum may need to be modified and adapted and supplementary materials used to enhance learning. Students participate in general education through mainstreaming and integration whenever possible as determined by the IEP team.

Related Services

Related services include those needed to assist the student with disabilities to benefit from special education. These services include, transportation, speech pathology and audiology, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children,  school health services, social work services, and parent training.

If your student receives related services from the District through their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) document, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, speech and language therapy, you may request copies of related service logs. These related service logs include the date and duration of service administered to your child. 

Special Services Transportation

Transportation needs for students with disabilities are discussed at the student’s IEP meeting. If you have any concerns regarding transportation, please contact the student’s teacher, the building principal, or the Department of Special Services to arrange for an IEP meeting. Per State regulations, unauthorized riders are not allowed to ride a bus with a student. Only individuals who have been authorized by the District or the student’s IEP team may ride the bus. Therefore, parents or other individuals may not ride the bus with the students. Should a student with disabilities have special needs that require the bus driver’s knowledge, such information will be shared with the bus driver. The bus driver is held to a strict code of confidentiality, so the driver, therefore, cannot discuss any student’s personal information with anyone other than specified school personnel. If you have any questions or concerns regarding a student’s eligibility for transportation services, please contact the Department of Special Services at 708-532-8537. Transportation services are scheduled at various times during the school year.

About

In compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), Kirby School District 140 provides child-find evaluations and special education services to parentally placed students attending local private/parochial schools or students who receive homeschooling. We are required to utilize a portion of our federal funds, referred to as Proportionate Share, to provide special education services to parochial and private schools within our attendance boundaries. Kirby School District 140, in agreement with participating private/parochial schools, has chosen to use these funds to provide speech and language services to qualifying students. We also provide child find (screening and evaluation) services, at no charge, to students.

Evaluation

Throughout the year, Kirby School District 140 receives requests to evaluate students who are home-schooled or attending private/parochial schools. We are legally obligated to consider each evaluation request and decide based on a review of existing data and information from parents and teachers. The Kirby School District 140 team will determine an appropriate evaluation and inform the referring party. If you feel your child should be evaluated for special education, contact your child’s principal at their private/parochial school, or send a letter directly to the KSD 140 Department of Student Services & Support requesting an evaluation. 

Services

Kirby School District 140 does not provide the full range of special education services to students attending private/parochial schools or home schools as they do for students in public schools. The Assistant Superintendent of Student Services & Support meets with local participating private/parochial schools and home-schooling parents to discuss the types of services that will be provided by our Proportionate Share funding. The district offers limited services and students receive a specific amount of service, regardless of the severity of their disability.  Should you wish to access a greater level of support for your child (as recommended by the educational team completing the evaluation), you may choose to enroll your child in the public school district of residence to receive the full range of services.

Timely and Meaningful Consultation

In compliance with IDEA, representatives from Kirby School District 140 meet with parents and staff from private and parochial schools on an annual basis to discuss how it will support students with special education needs in those schools or who are homeschooled. This meeting is typically held in May of each school year.

• 2024 Timely and Meaningful Notes
• ISBE Nonpublic Proportionate Share Services Guidance