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Special Education Department

Lake Park High School District 108 provides a free and appropriate program of special education services for exceptional children who are residents of the District and between the ages of 14 and 21. Anyone having knowledge of students whose needs are not adequately being met should contact the District office at 630-295-5420. Concern about a student's progress in school and /or requests for an evaluation should be directed to the student's guidance counselor.

It is the intent of the District that no individual, solely by reason of his/her disability, should be excluded from participating in any Lake Park program or activity. Anyone having knowledge of instances of discrimination should contact the District office.

Director of Special Education

Gail Kelly

630.295.5309

Special Education Teachers

Phone numbers and e-mail addresses

Special Education Programs

Under the Special Education umbrella, Lake Park offers five exceptional opportunities to help meet a student’s needs and to enhance their individualized education plan.

Progressions

Progressions offers varying levels of resource and instructional services within the Special Education department. This instructional program is a cross-categorical, departmentalized program that meets the education of students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The program offers the following

  • Resource support for all IEP students
  • Instruction in required core subject areas
  • Lessons to improve social skills-collaboration, self- confidence, on-task behaviors, and other individual needs
  • Ability to advance in future career paths
  • Progression toward independent academic achievement and self advocacy
Pathways

This self-contained program is designed for students who need significant academic modification to the high school curriculum. Pathways emphasizes academic, vocational, social, and life skills necessary to function independently within society. These skills are addressed within the classroom and community environments. Curriculum at this level may be individualized and  adjusted to a lower academic level, students in this program must successfully complete a curriculum of required subject areas and elective courses consistent with the District’s requirements for a standard diploma.

Freshmen and Sophomore students attend East Campus and Junior and Senior students attend West Campus to enable all students to be among their peers on a daily basis. Students in this program are introduced to a continuum of vocational experiences and training sites providing varying levels of support. In addition, students in this program participate in numerous community experiences. In the community, students are encouraged to apply their classroom knowledge in an appropriate manner within the community setting.

  • Provides academic learning experiences within the classroom and community settings that will be generalized into their real life experiences
  • Builds and develops social, life and vocational skills that allow for enhanced problem solving abilities and increased interpersonal success with others
  • Links and empowers students to transition from school to an adult life
Choices

This is a small, self-contained, program which supports academic and emotional student needs. The educational team consists of  the special needs director, teacher, instructional assistant, social  worker who meets weekly with the students either in a group or  individual setting, and psychologist who acts as a consultant.

The philosophy of Choices is a developmental approach that is designed to foster behavioral, academic, emotional, and social growth in a structured, supportive environment. This program encourages positive student changes within the family, peer group, school, and society. We make every attempt to place each student in the least restrictive environment possible, to better prepare him/her for the real world.

Decisions are made on an individual basis to secure as much success as possible for each student.

  • Provides alternative educational setting
  • Maintains students on a graduation track
  • Modifies student behavior so they can experience positive interactions in school, home and the community
Alternate Placement

These self-contained programs are designed for students with behavioral and/or emotional needs who, despite the provisions of supplementary aids and services, are still unable to conduct themselves appropriately in all or part of a school setting that he/she significantly impairs his/her education and that of other students.

Alternative schools are outside of the district and provide academic, behavioral, and emotional support. Students who receive the necessary credits will graduate with a Lake Park diploma.

  • Teaching, modeling, and reinforcing social skills
  • Building positive relationships between staff, students and parents
  • Collaborating to provide a variety of services, programs, and community resources
  • Working to transition back to Lake Park for partial or full day
Transition

Transition provides a consistent continuum of special education services for students following the completion of four academic years of high school.  Each student must have completed all academic requirements for graduation.

This program culminates in the receipt of a high school diploma from Lake Park before reaching their 22nd birthday. The program assists in developing skills in the areas of career awareness, independent living skills, access to the community, and self advocacy.

  • Identification of career interests, skills, and abilities
  • Development of critical workplace skills and a solid foundation for good work habits
  • Change in approach to services: student as an adult decision maker – family as support to such decisions
  • Link between students, schools, and employers

Links

North DuPage Special Education Cooperative
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
Council for Exceptional Children
Learning Disabilities Association of America