A Lesson From Forrest Gump Regarding Appropriate Expectations for Students with Cognitive Disabilities
From the Institute for Applied Psychometrics (IAP), Kevin S. McGrew, Ph.D.
Bookshare
Bookshare provides accessible books and periodicals for readers with print disabilities. Bookshare™ is free for all U.S. students with qualifying disabilities. Student memberships are currently funded by an award from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
Brittany’s Law
Text of Brittany’s Law contained in the Illinois School Code.
BROADREACH Training & Resources – Norman Kunc & Emma Van Der Klift
The website of Norman Kunc & Emma Van der Klift – focusing on inclusion and other disability issues. Helping individuals with disabilities and their families live rich and meaningful lives in their communities.
CADRE – Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
CADRE, the National Center on Dispute Resolution, encourages the use of mediation and other collaborative strategies to resolve disagreements about special education and early intervention programs. This website provides information on conflict resolution in education.
Council for Exceptional Children
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
Delegation of Rights Form, from Illinois Sate Board of Education
ISBE’s form for Delegation of Rights to make educational decisions.
Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois
From the Illinois State Board of Education, June 2009.
Financial Aid & Scholarships – US Department of Education
Resources for financial aid and scholarships for students with disabilities.
Guidance and Career Counselors’ Toolkit: Advising High School Students with Disabilities on Postsecondary Options
Contains answers to counselors’ most frequently asked questions about postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities. Students and families are encouraged to use the toolkit to help guide their transition planning for college and career.
Guidance on Harassment and Bullying from U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Civil Rights
October 26, 2010 Guidance documents on harassment and bullying to education agencies.
Heath Resource Center – Online Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities
The HEATH Resource Center of The George Washington University, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.
Homeschool.com
Homeschool.com was created to empower parents to create the ideal school for their child at home! Homeschool.com’s founding principle is to consistently provide resources, information, and support to all homeschooling families.
ICDL – Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders
Founded by Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder, the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders has been a pioneer in its work to advance the identification, prevention, and treatment of developmental and learning disorders. Through its research, training and publications, ICDL has created a cadre of world class professionals across multiple areas of expertise who are extending the reach of the DIR®/Floortime Model.
IDEA Info from the Department of Education
Department of Education web site for technical assistance and resources related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and implementing the 2004 reauthorization of the IDEA. The site provides searchable versions of the statute and regulations, and access to cross-referenced content from other education laws.
Illinois Annual State Report on Special Education Performance
An annual report produced by the Illinois State Board of Education to share critical performance indicators for students with disabilities in Illinois.
Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse
Providing library and information services to parents, families, providers, professionals, educators, policymakers, students, researchers…
Illinois Private Special Education Providers
Information from ISBE, searchable by county, type of disability served, etc.
Illinois Special Ed Profiles by District
Information on Special Education by School District. Also available at this link is the Annual State Report on Special Education Performance.
Illinois State Board of Education
Information from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Illinois State Board of Education – Bullying Resources
Bullying behavior in schools can cause harm to students’ social and emotional well-being and be a significant barrier to learning.
Illinois State Board of Education – Parent Rights Guide (August 2020)
The guide is for parents, teachers, administrators, and others to learn about the educational rights of children who have
disabilities and receive special education and related services.
Illinois Student Records Keeper – For Parents of Students Who Receive Special Education Services, from Illinois State Board of Education
Record-keeping resource for parents of students receiving special education services, developed and shared by the Illinois State Board of Education. This booklet is a companion to Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.
K12 Academics
A National Education & Disability Resource website with a community based approach. We cover every county, city and town in the U.S. If you are looking for a web site or information on a school, organization, museum, consultant, library, camp, study abroad program or support in your area you can find it here. The site also serves as a great resource for Teachers, Parents, Students, Professionals & District Officials in the K-12 Education system with extensive information on various topics in education and disabilities.
Kids Together
“To promote inclusive communities where all people belong.” This site is designed to provide helpful information and resources to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, and communities as a whole.
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures. NCSET is headquartered at the Institute on Community Integration in the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development.
National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center
The National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center ( NSTTAC ) is directed and staffed by the Special Education Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in partnership with the Special Education Programs at Western Michigan University and Appalachian State University. In order to ensure full implementation of IDEA and help youth with disabilities and their families achieve desired post-school outcomes, NSTTAC will help states build capacity to support and improve transition planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities and disseminate information and provide technical assistance on scientifically-based research practices with an emphasis on building and sustaining state-level infrastructures of support and district-level demonstrations of effective transition methods for youth with disabilities.
OSEP Least Restrictive Environment Policy Memos
OSEP Policy Documents Regarding the Education of Infants, Toddlers, Children and Youth with Disabilities: Least Restrictive Environment
PACER Center
The mission of PACER Center is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. Through its ALLIANCE and other national projects, PACER, a national center, responds to thousands of parents and professionals each year. From California to Minnesota to New York, PACER resources make a difference in the lives of 6.5 million children with disabilities nationwide.
Paula Kluth’s Website
This website is dedicated to promoting inclusive schooling and exploring positive ways of supporting students with autism and other disabilities. Most of my work involves collaborating with schools to create environments, lessons, and experiences that are inclusive, respectful, and accessible for all learners.
PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports – from OSEP
The TA Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has been established by the Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education to give schools capacity-building information and technical assistance for identifying, adapting, and sustaining effective school-wide disciplinary practices.
PEATC
The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) is the parent information and training center serving families and professionals of children with disabilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
resourceSET Database
To assist BC School Districts and Group I and II Independent Schools build their capacity to use technology to support the diverse needs of their K-12 students.
Preparing for Special Education Mediation and Resolution Sessions: A Guide for Families and Advocates
The Advocacy Institute and the Children’s Law Clinic at Duke Law School have combined their talents to create this new publication to help families and advocates make the most of the new and expanded dispute resolution options offered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Reasonable Access to Observe Educational Facilities, Classrooms, and Buildings in Illinois School Code
Information in Illinois School Code regarding reasonable access to educational environments by parents and professionals. See section 14-8.02(g-5) of the School Code.
Response to Intervention (RtI) Information from Illinois State Board of Education
Response to Intervention (RtI) is a general education initiative which requires collaborative efforts from all district staff, general educators, special educators and bilingual/ELL staff. In a quality educational environment student academic and behavioral needs must be identified and monitored continuously with documented student performance data used to make instructional decisions.
Special Education – A Basic Guide for Parents
IEP Participation Guide for Parents from the National Association of School Psychologists.
StopBullying.gov
StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying. If you or someone you know is being bullied, get help.
The Arc@School
Through The Arc@School, The Arc provides training, and resources to help families and other stakeholders navigate the special education system.
The Arc@School en español
Desde su fundación, The Arc ha defendido a los estudiantes con IDD para que tengan acceso a apoyo y servicios educativos.
The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning
The Center is a not-for-profit corporation that provides a broad range of professional development services and instructional resources for school communities throughout Illinois and the nation. Its broad range of programs span from early education through adult learning. Presently The Center each year provides support, training and assistance to more than 25,000 teachers, administrators, parents and other educational stakeholders.
The IRIS Center
Visit the IRIS Center for Training Enhancements for free online interactive resources that translate research about the education of students with disabilities into practice. Our materials cover a wide variety of evidence-based topics, including behavior, RTI, learning strategies, and progress monitoring.
ThinkCollege.Net
Youth with intellectual disabilities have not had many chances to go to college. This is changing as individuals across the country begin to create opportunities for these youth to reap the benefits of postsecondary education. This website will provide information and links to anyone interested in finding out more about the possibilities.
Whole Schooling Consortium
The Whole Schooling Consortium is an international network of schools, teachers, parents, administrators, university faculty and community members. Our PURPOSE is to promote EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY in schools throughout the world to BUILD INCLUSIVE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES.
Wrightslaw
Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.