Specialized Services

Zion-Benton Twp. High School District 126 values all of its learners and seeks to meet their individual learning needs so they can grow academ

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 values all learners and is committed to meeting each student’s individual learning needs so they can grow academically, socially, and emotionally and thrive in and beyond high school. In keeping with this commitment, District 126 offers a full continuum of special education services and placements designed to meet student needs in the least restrictive environment.

Whenever possible, the district supports students within District 126 so they may remain connected to their school community, peers, and extracurricular opportunities.

As a first consideration, students with disabilities are supported in:

Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, honors, and general education courses
Appropriate accommodations, modifications, and related services aligned to each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)

For students who require additional support, District 126 also provides:

Transition Programming
Transition Programming supports students with disabilities who require continued instruction beyond four years of high school. This program focuses on developing skills related to:

Work-based learning
Independent living
Community access

Students in the program represent a wide range of abilities and needs. The overarching goal is to help each student reach their highest level of independence, as determined by the IEP team.

Alternative Placements
When a student’s needs cannot be fully met within the district, District 126 works collaboratively with families to identify appropriate alternative placements, which may include:

Therapeutic day schools
Residential placements

The information below outlines the special education programming and services provided within District 126.

Description of Each Program

Co-Taught

District 126 offers co-taught classes within all core content areas, including: Math, Science, Social Science, English, and Health. Classes reflect the general education curriculum but are appropriate for students who need additional support. To provide this additional support, classes are taught by two teachers, one general education and one special education teacher. Special education students who are recommended for co-taught classes have it identified in their Individualized Education Plan.

TAB

Instructional

SIP

The Supported Instructional Program (SIP) is a cross-categorical, small group instructional program designed to meet the needs of students who have moderate cognitive and specific learning needs who require a highly supportive instructional setting. The program focuses on a modified curriculum with instruction and therapies (speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social worker, etc.) delivered in small and large group settings. Students do integrate into general education.

ELS

Transition

District 126 offers a community-based transition program that services students who range from 18 up to 22 years of age. The Transition Program is designed to help these students move from high school into adult life.

These students need further instruction and guided practice in the areas of work-based learning, independent living, and community access to further their independence as determined by the student’s IEP team. The students in the program have a range of abilities and disabilities. The goal of the program is to help each student reach his/her highest level of independence in these areas.

Each student participates in a curriculum that is adapted and appropriate to his/her needs, interests, and abilities. The Transition Program offers a range of experiences, allowing students to continue to learn and apply functional academics, self-advocacy/self-determination, problem-solving skills, social-emotional skills, and speech and language skills.

The experience in the Transition Program allows the students to make progress towards their unique IEP goals and post-secondary transition outcomes. Before exiting the program, the students and families gain an understanding of adult services and how to access these resources for life-long support. In collaboration with families and the community, we prepare students to find meaningful engagement and participation in their lives, work, and community after school.

ZAP

Itinerant Services

Alternative Placements

Ms. Jenn Lang
Director of Specialized Services
jenn.lang@zb126.org
(847) 731-9501

Mrs. Emily Waddick
Department Head for Specialized Services
emily.waddick@zb126.org
(847) 731-9713

Mr. Andrew Kaplan
Department Head for Alternative Programming
Transition and ZAP
andrew.kaplan@zb126.org
(847) 731-4402

Specialized Services Information

D126 Special Education Procedure Manual

Child Find Process

Child Find is a legal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It ensures that public school districts actively identify, locate, and evaluate children who may have disabilities and who may need special education services.

The goal of Child Find is to make sure all children have access to the support they need to fully participate in learning and make meaningful educational progress.

This includes:

Students enrolled in public schools
Students enrolled in private schools
Students who are Homeschooled
Students who are highly mobile, such as migrant or homeless youth

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 has systems in place to identify students whose disabilities may significantly impact their academic progress. At Zion-Benton, Student Success Teams (SSTs) meet weekly to review student concerns, implement targeted interventions, and monitor progress. Each team uses a structured problem-solving process to determine appropriate supports and evaluate their effectiveness.

If a student does not make sufficient progress with interventions, the team may recommend a special education evaluation. Parents and guardians may also request an evaluation at any time by submitting a written request to the student’s school counselor or school psychologist. Sample Parent Letter- Written Request for Special Education Evaluation

Services for Private and Homeschooled Students

Proportionate Share Services for Private and Homeschooled Students

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA 2004), Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 provides Child Find evaluations and special education services for parentally placed students who attend private or parochial schools, as well as students who are homeschooled within district boundaries.

The district is required to allocate a portion of its federal funding, proportionate share—to support special education services for eligible students in these settings. Child Find evaluations are provided at no cost to families.

If you believe your child may need an evaluation, please contact your child’s teacher at their private or parochial school or submit a written request directly to the Director of Specialized Services.

Timely and Meaningful Consultation

To meet IDEA requirements, district representatives meet annually with parents and staff from private and parochial schools to discuss how special education services will be provided for eligible students in those settings or who are homeschooled. These meetings typically take place in late spring each school year. Feel free to review the notice, agenda, and presentation for the TMC meeting.

CTE/Post-Secondary Planning

Zion-Benton Township High School offers students a variety of opportunities in Career and Technical Education as well as post-secondary planning. There are many options for students after high school. The possibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

A four-year college or university (either public or private)
A two-year college (either public or private)
A technical college (either public or private)
A specialty school
The military (regular enlistment, ROTC, or a service academy)
Employment
An apprenticeship
Transition Program

Notice Regarding Access to IEP Service Logs

Notice Regarding Access to IEP Service Logs

Students with disabilities may receive related services as part of their individual education programs (IEPs). Zion-Benton Twp. High School District 126 will maintain related service logs that record the type and number of minutes of the related service(s) administered to such students. Copies of any related service logs will be available to parents/guardians at their child’s annual review IEP meeting. Parents/guardians of students with disabilities may also request copies of their child’s related service logs at any time.

Supported Summer Programs

Behavioral Interventions for Students with Disabilities

Translation/Qualified Interpreter Services

School must provide a qualified interpreter at IEP team meetings upon request from parents/guardians whose native language is other than English. If a qualified interpreter is not available, the District may use outside vendors, including telephonic interpreters.
Parents/guardians, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, may request an interpreter for IEP team meetings by contacting the student's case manager. Whenever possible, interpreter requests should be made at least three days prior to the scheduled meeting.
Parents/guardians have the right to request that the bilingual interpreter provided at an IEP meeting by the District serve no other role in the IEP meeting than as an interpreter, and the District will make reasonable efforts to fulfill this request.

You have the right to request that the school district provide an interpreter for the meeting. You have the right to request that the interpreter serve no other role in the IEP meeting other than as an interpreter, and the school district should make reasonable efforts to fulfill this request.

You can request an interpreter by contacting the individual indicated below:

Ms. Aryan Betancourt District Spanish Translator aryan.betancourt@zb126.org 847-731-9797

District Spanish Translator

Aryan Betancourt

(847) 731 9797

Aryan.betancourt@zb126.org

Transportation Resources

Parent Resources

Special Education Eligibility

Special Education Eligibility

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 follows the Illinois State Board of Education’s Procedures and Criteria to determine student eligibility for special education services.

Students may qualify for services under one or more of the 14 disability categories identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Each student is entitled to a nondiscriminatory evaluation for any suspected disability. As part of the evaluation process for specific learning disabilities, District 126 uses a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). MTSS includes high-quality instruction, targeted interventions, ongoing progress monitoring, and data-based decision-making to determine the need for special education services.

A multidisciplinary team, including parents or guardians, teachers, and evaluation specialists, reviews all relevant data to determine eligibility. For students found eligible under IDEA, special education and related services are provided through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed collaboratively with families.

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