Student Services

D61 actively seeks out and attempts to identify all students in the district who have disabilities that significantly impact academic achievement and functional performance. When a concern is expressed either by school staff, student, or a parent, the student’s academic and social/emotional status is reviewed through a problem-solving process. Teachers and support staff, along with the student and parents, may develop and implement interventions and strategies to address needs. When interventions/strategies adequately meet the needs of a student, no further action is necessary.

When strategies and intervention plans are not successful in appropriately supporting a student, an individual assessment, referred to as a case study evaluation, is initiated to determine eligibility for Special Education services.

Any private evaluations, provided by parents, are considered by the educational team and are compared to the district’s special education evaluative results. Within 14 school days of receiving a private evaluation or other request for assessment, the educational team determines whether additional assessment or other steps are warranted.

If the student is determined to be eligible for special education support, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed and reviewed annually. Eligibility for special education services is reevaluated every three years

Students who are currently enrolled in grades preK-8 and attending a District 61 school may be referred for an evaluation by their parents or the school team. To refer a child for a 504 evaluation, a letter or email should be submitted to the school’s 504 coordinator and list the areas of concern. 

A student may qualify for 504 services if it is determined that they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and that they require accommodations or modifications to access FAPE. 

A student who attends a private, parochial or is home schooled within the boundaries of Darien District 61 is eligible for consideration for a special education evaluation and services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). IDEA 2004-Section 612 requires each public school district to utilize a portion of its Federal Part B special education funds in order to provide students with disabilities, who attend private schools within the boundaries of the district. 

When there is reason to believe that a student may have a disability requiring special education and related services, the student can be referred for a special education evaluation. Students who attend private schools receive an Individual Service Plan if they are found eligible for special education services.

To meet the diverse educational needs of the students, Darien Public Schools District #61 is a member of the LADSE special education cooperative. Member districts combine resources to provide appropriate services for students who meet eligibility and reside within the cooperative. Click here for more information about LADSE.

Darien Public Schools District #61 may utilize the SASED cooperative to provide services for children with low incidence disabilities. Click here for more information about SASED 

Definition
Homeless students include but are not limited to, children who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason  (commonly referred to as “doubled up”); are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping ground due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodations, are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; are awaiting foster care placement; are staying in private or public places not ordinarily used as sleeping accommodations; or are otherwise not residing in a fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence.  There is no specific time limit on how long a child or youth can be considered homeless.

Choice of Schools
A homeless child or youth is entitled to attend any of the following:

1. School in which he or she was enrolled when permanently housed (school of origin);
2. The school he or she was last enrolled when permanently houses (school of origin);
3. Any public school that non homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the homeless child is actually living are eligible to attend.

Transportation
Parents/guardians shall make a good faith effort to provide or arrange transportation to the school of origin. If parents are unable to secure transportation, the District will be responsible for transportation to their school of origin.

Fees
Homeless children are entitled to receive free lunch and school fee waivers.

Registration
Homeless students will be immediately enrolled with or without school and/or health records.

Resources

McKinney-Vento Fact Sheet -English

McKinney-Vento fact sheet Spanish

DuPage CRIS

A resource for housing support, food banks, etc.