From: SMITH LEIGH ANN [mailto:LSMITH@isbe.net]
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 2:04 PM
Subject: Final Guidance - Special Education Eligibility in an RtI Framework
Importance: High

This message is sent on behalf of Elizabeth Hanselman.  Thank you.

Final Guidance on Special Education Eligibility in an RtI Framework

ISBE is pleased to announce that “Illinois Special Education Eligibility and Entitlement Procedures and Criteria within a Response to Intervention (RtI) Framework:  A Guidance Document” is now available in final form at http://www.isbe.net/spec-ed/Default.htm (see “What’s New”).

The guidance document is designed to provide Illinois districts and schools with a framework for using RtI to determine a student’s eligibility for and entitlement to special education services.  Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, districts must use a process that determines how a child responds to scientific, research-based interventions as part of the evaluation procedures to determine special education eligibility under the category of specific learning disability (SLD), in accordance with 23 Illinois Administrative Code 226.130 (http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/226ark.pdf).  While this requirement is specific to SLD, districts also have the option of using such a process as part of the evaluation procedures for other disability categories.  The guidance document also aligns directly with the Illinois State RtI Plan (http://www.isbe.net/pdf/rti_state_plan.pdf) and sets the stage for Illinois schools to approach special education eligibility and entitlement decisions from a broader context of quality instruction, intervention, and assessment to address the learning and behavioral needs of all students.

The guidance document was developed and reviewed through an extensive collaborative effort of the Committee on Special Education Eligibility and Entitlement in an RtI Framework and ISBE.  The Committee was charged with examining the federal regulations and state rules for special education, as well as informational and guidance materials from Illinois and other states, to develop the comprehensive content of the document.  In finalizing the document, the Committee also reviewed questions and suggestions received from the field during stakeholder review of the initial draft document.  As a result, the Committee incorporated changes within various sections of the final guidance document and developed a Frequently Asked Questions supplement, which will be posted at the first link above within the next two weeks.

To support implementation of the process outlined in the guidance document, a series of training events will be conducted in the next several months.  Further details, including dates and locations, will be forthcoming.  ISBE will also be developing one or more “professional practice” supplements to expand on basic information contained in the guidance document.  For example, a supplement providing greater detail related to addressing the needs of English Language Learners (ELL) within an RtI framework will be developed in the near future through a collaborative effort of ISBE and ELL practitioners.  Questions about the guidance document may be directed to Special Education Services at 217-782-5589.