Specialized Services

Press linked document to view the ZBTHS Special Education Procedure Manual.

D126 Special Education Procedures 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

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. 

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

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.

ZBTHS DIST. 126 SUMMER STINGER & Summer Hive, See summer school offerings for details.

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:

District Spanish Translator 

Aryan Betancourt

(847) 731 9797 

Aryan.betancourt@zb126.org

Special Needs Chicago 

Pace 

Dial a Ride 

Community Alternatives Unlimited 

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

Community Resources

How to Navitate the Illinois Disability System

Illinois Department of Human Services

Illinois State Board of Education Dyslexia Guide

Notice Requirements of Students with Disabilities

Procedural Safeguards

English 

Spanish

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.