Specialized Services
Specialized Services
The West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147 requires that all students with disabilities be provided with a high quality and appropriate education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) as mandated by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The focus is to improve the school climate with a continuum of service to ensure that students with individualized education plans (IEPs) have greater access to the regular education environment. Children with disabilities must be educated with their grade level peers to the maximum extent appropriate with the use of supplemental aids and services needed.
504 Plans
A 504 Plan Illinois is an accommodation plan that ensures equitable educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. 504 plan eligibility also includes students with a disability who are in Early Childhood and/or English Language Learner programming. Eligibility for a 504 Plan in Illinois is decided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 definitions of disability. A student must have a physical or mental handicap that substantially affects one or more main living activities, such as learning, walking, breathing, or working, to qualify for a 504 Plan in Illinois. The team at WHD will document and verify this disability. The student must also require functional adjustments or changes to engage in school activities and have equal access to educational opportunities. Via a 504, a student will receive functional accommodations via a 504 if found eligible.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning provides the framework for students to begin their journey to high school, college and career readiness. Ideally, all students begin high school with the ability to manage their own stress, fear, and insecurities. Our caring and supportive staff rely on the use of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework to assist students in understanding their difficulties and developing specific strategies to improve Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Skills. Some students, however, have many external and internal factors impacting their success. Program Success is designed to address these factors through the instruction of social emotional skills and academic skill support.
