Programming and Services for Students with IEPs

Case Management

All students with IEPs receive direct case management services from a certified special educator Tuesday through Friday during Warrior/Addison Trail Resource Time. This designated 35 minutes daily is for students’ individual case managers to monitor their progress and skill demonstration in all of their classes. The case managers will also be at their students’ annual reviews each year and provide nine-week goal updates throughout the year. Each year the case manager will contact the parent/guardian to introduce themselves and provide their contact information. The programs below illustrate the level of service within the classes students will receive which are determined at their annual review.

General Education with Special Education and Resource Support

In addition to case manager support and progress monitoring provided during the AT Resource and the Warrior Time periods, students with an IEP who are taking courses in the general education curriculum, as determined by their IEP, may be scheduled into an additional academic support resource period (ASC/WRC). The resource center provides academic support with certified content teachers in English, Math, Science, and Literacy to help students develop the skills necessary to meet success in their courses. The resource center provides opportunities for academic skill building, remediation, and the acquisition of executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, and student advocacy. Students will also receive specialized instructional support from licensed Special Education teachers in the resource period and may also receive specialized instructional support inside the classroom depending on need as determined by the IEP team.

Bridge(s) Program

The Bridge Program adapts core curriculum and standards to meet the individual learning needs of students. The program offers a low student-to-teacher ratio, including a paraprofessional to provide individualized instruction to no more than 13 students in each class period. Consistent research-based assessment is provided to monitor student growth and achievement frequently.

Courses offered in the Bridge Program:

• English 9, 10, 11, 12
• Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Consumer Math (Addison Trail only), Career Based Math
• Human Geography, US History, Government (semester), Economics (semester)
• Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience
• Consumer Management (semester - Willowbrook only)
• Health (one semester)
• From School to Work
• Driver’s Education (Addison Trail only)

Self-Contained Programs

Strive Program Willowbrook only

The Strive Program ensures a focus on educational success, self-awareness, and community development. It is through this program that all components of the student’s life are brought together to achieve the goals that have been set. Lifelong learning is promoted in the areas of academics, careers, community, and most importantly, self. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their behavior and academic progress. Strive offers a safe and structured environment to promote student learning. Not all students learn in the same manner, therefore, Strive will provide a variety of instructional approaches to support their learning. Each student is a valued individual with unique academic, social, and emotional needs. The Strive staff will help students learn how to make appropriate decisions in a supportive and challenging environment. A commitment to continuous improvement is essential for Strive to succeed. Parent/guardian support is important to the success of our students. As part of the program, students receive art therapy, music therapy, and pet therapy. In addition, those eligible for IEP social work support receive these services through the program.

Perseverance and Resilience Education Program (PREP) Willowbrook only

The goal of the Perseverance and Resilience Education Program is to provide support to students to strengthen their academic and social-emotional skills in order to find comfort and confidence within the educational environment. In this program, students develop coping strategies to address social-emotional needs, and learn to apply those skills in the broader school setting in order to meet academic success. The PREP classroom includes in-classroom sensory regulation spaces to allow students to use coping strategies during heightened emotional experiences while remaining in the learning environment.

All PREP courses are aligned to state standards and District 88 curriculum. Curriculum is modified to meet the needs of each learner. Students have the option to float out to other courses with the support of PREP staff in order to take classes in areas of interest and/or to meet graduation requirements. Various therapies are included in the program including social workgroup support, art therapy, music therapy, meditation and mindfulness, and pet therapy.

Behavior Resource Center (BRC) Addison Trail only

The BRC is a highly structured self-contained environment for students that require intensive academic and behavioral support that offers skill development in educational, social-emotional and transitional skills. The courses offered are dependent upon the credit needs of the students in the program within a given school year. A primary focus of the program is to help students accept responsibility for their own academic progress and behavioral choices in the school setting. This will be accomplished in the context of a highly structured classroom environment which offers clear expectations, consistency and a supportive therapeutic component. Each student’s choices will be reinforced through direct and immediate feedback throughout the day, as well as group and or individual counseling, as needed. By fostering supportive relationships, students are guided to achieve the following goals: 1) development of appropriate problem-solving skills, 2) development of appropriate interpersonal skills, 3) increased school success, 4) development of a vocational plan with short-term and long-term goals and5) high school graduation. All BRC courses are aligned to state standards and District 88 curriculum. Curriculum is modified to meet the needs of each learner. Various supports are included in the program including social work support, pet therapy, and field trips organized through an outside agency called Chicago Voyagers.

Link Program

The Link program is designed to provide tiered life skills and functional-academic instruction. The focus of the program is to provide students with skills necessary for independent living and competitive employment in the postsecondary environment. Students in the program benefit from vocational training/support integrated into their school day, as well as community outings to develop and practice independent living and self-determination skills in the real world environment.

Courses offered in the Link Program

• Functional Academics
• English
• Math 1
• Math 2
• Self-Reliance
• Pre-Occupational Skills/Vocational Skills

Students enrolled in the Link Program will participate in a variety of transition/life experiences that include but are not limited to:

• Cooking Experiences: menu planning, grocery shopping, following recipes, kitchen safety
• Community-Based Instruction: budgeting, communicating, shopping, volunteer opportunities, community safety, money skills
• Self-Determination Activities: goal setting, self-advocacy, self-awareness, problem-solving
• Vocational Experiences: in-school vocational training and community vocational training
• Social Instruction: teamwork, communicating, conflict resolution, relationships
• Daily Living Skill Instruction: housekeeping, hygiene, home safety, healthy choices

Developmental Learning Program (DLP) District Program

The Developmental Learning Program (DLP) is a highly individualized program designed to meet the needs of students with multiple disabilities (Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, etc.). The purpose of the program is to support the development of functional academic skills as well as everyday life skills such as: money management, social and emotional skills, community-based skills, vocational skills, communication skills, self-care, self-advocacy, and functional life skills (cooking, cleaning, hygiene, etc.) Placement into the Developmental Learning Program is an IEP team decision based on specific student needs. The team determines the placement that best meets the needs of an individual student. The decision is made after a thorough review of the IEP components which may include present levels of performance, goals/objectives, accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, state and district assessments, behavior intervention plans, teacher and parental input, and results from any previous evaluations. This program is housed at Willowbrook but students from both Addison Trail and Willowbrook are eligible to be in this program based on the decision made at the student’s IEP meeting. The students in the Developmental Learning Program receive instruction from various related services including speech, occupational therapy, social work, music therapy, and art therapy. Related services are conducted in small group, whole group, or individual sessions. The amount of time that each student receives instruction is dependent on their IEP. Students enrolled in the Developmental Learning Program go out into the community on a weekly basis to practice and apply skills which are being taught in the classroom setting.

Off-Campus Placement

When the needs of students extend beyond the resources and programs available within the district, the IEP team may consider placement in an off-campus setting. District 88 partners with more than 50 different public and private facilities to ensure that the unique needs of District 88 students can be met.

Extended School Year (ESY)

Extended school year is a program for students who may show a regression of skills without schooling during the summer months. Eligibility for this program will be decided upon at your student’s Annual Review IEP meeting.

District 88 LIFE Transition Program

The LIFE program is located at our District 88 Office building. This program is designed for students ages 18-22 who need additional assistance preparing for their adult lives. The focus of this program is vocational and life skills. For more specifics, please contact the Transition Department Chair, Devon Harris (dharris@dupage88.net, 630-458-4512).

Related Services

Related services are provided on an as-needed basis determined at your student’s IEP meeting. They are services to supplement their academic curriculum that supports their overall success in school.

• Social Work (group or individual)
• Speech-Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Assistive Technology
• Transportation

Learning Services Department and Legal Compliance

In compliance with IDEA and the "Rules and Regulations to Govern the Administration and Operation of Special Education," mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, DuPage High School District 88 offers special education classes and services designed to meet the unique needs of students with the following areas of eligibility:

• Visual Impairment
• Specific Learning Disability
• Hearing Impairment
• Emotional Disability
• Physical Impairment
• Intellectual Disability
• Speech/language impairment
• Autism
• Multiple disabilities
• Orthopedic impairment
• Traumatic brain injury
• Other Health impairment

As required by law, program placement is determined by the IEP team based on each student’s individual needs. Students can be placed full-time or part-time into any of the above programs without barriers to enrollment.

Appropriate District 88 staff participates on the Behavior Interventions Committee. This committee develops policies and procedures for students with disabilities who require behavioral interventions. This is in accordance with P.L. 89-191 and the guidelines set forth by the Illinois State Board of Education.

At minimum, each year a copy of the procedural safeguards and rights for students with disabilities are furnished to all parents and/or guardians of students with disabilities receiving special education and related services. Additionally, all students and parents are notified concerning the District 88 policy on "Behavioral Interventions for Students with Disabilities."

Parents or students interested in knowing about the programs and specific classes available in District 88 beyond what is provided here should contact the Learning Services Department Head.

Important notice

Students with disabilities may receive related services as part of their individual education programs (IEPs). DuPage High School District 88 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.