Special Services

District 99 is a member of SASED (School Association for Special Education in DuPage County), and special education involvement is directed through the local school attendance area. Procedures for referral, placement, and program development are coordinated by the Department Chair for Special Services. District 99, and its associated districts in SASED, provide programs for students ages 3 through 21.

Students are serviced through a broad spectrum of educational programming.  Placement into any programs/courses is determined at a multidisciplinary conference where an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed to address the need for more intensive instruction.

Every eligible student is assigned a case manager at the beginning of the school year to coordinate their IEP services.  The case manager is the primary contact for day to day issues and services.  Case managers reach out to parents/guardians in the first week of school.

General Information About IEPs at North

Continuum of Services

North offers a variety of services to students and programs to support students.  

Continuum of Academic Support

Continnum of Emotional Support

Freshman, Sophomore, Junior/Senior, or ED Teams- services are primarily provided in co-taught or instructional LD/ED (INLD/ED) classes and include LRC (a structured class to provide academic, transition, and functional supports). 

Co-Taught and Instructional Classes.

Supportive ED Program- services are primarily provided in a self-contained environment for students who's emotional needs require a wraparound support.  Most graduation requirements can be met within Supportive programming.  Courses are offered on a two year sequence. 

2024-2026 Supportive Course Rotation.

Directive ED Program- services are primarily provided in a partial day self-contained environment for students who's behavioral needs require a wraparound support.  Most core classes are offered within Directive programming and some instruction is occurs via online lecture and students work with the teacher on follow up activities. 

2024-2026 Directive Course Rotation.

Ready Program- services are primarily provided in a self-contained environment for students who's academic and functional needs require a wraparound support.  Many students in Ready programming have multiple related services that coordinate with teachers and may provide services embedded within the classroom.  Ready programming is offered at three levels: Topics, Elements, and Concepts in order to provide students individualized curricula.  As part of their curricula, most students are linked with the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) for vocational experiences and supports after high school.  Within our program, students may access additional opportunities, such as Shakin' Beans, All Access Choir, and community learning.  All graduation requirements can be acheived within Ready programming.  Courses are offered on a four year sequence, so varying from this sequence in one class may result in needing to vary from the sequence in other classes.

2022-2026 Ready Course Sequence.

Related Services

Related services are provided to students with disabilities who require them in order to access their education at Downers Grove North.  Eligibility for these services is determined at an evaluation meeting and students must demonstrate an impact at school in order to qualify for school based services.  Students who require more intensive therapies may request referrals from counselors or service providers for outside services.  Related services may include: speech language therapy, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, hearing supports, vision supports, orientation and mobility, and so forth.

Initial Evaluation for Special Education Services

Students seeking special education services should contact their counselor to determine options for general education interventions and to discuss the IEP evaluation process.  In order to be eligible for services a student needs to have a disability, an adverse educational impact due to the disability, and require specialized instruction in order to teach skills (which are provided through specialized classes).  All students with a disability do not require special education.

Students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, may qualify for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  In order to be eligible for a 504 Plan the student (i) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.  Please visit the district Student Services webpage for questions regarding Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

Eligibilty for Services.

Questions about programming, assessment, and placement of students or the provision of special education services should be directed to:

Jorie Burtnette, North Special Services Department Chair (630-795-8040)