District Programs
Round Lake Area Schools is committed to providing a full continuum of services and support for students who are eligible for special education. As part of our continuum, we offer instructional programs to meet student needs. These programs are very specialized for the specific students who require that level of support. If a student is found eligible to attend an instructional program that is not available at their home school, District 116 will provide transportation to and from school. Placement within our instructional programs is evaluated annually, typically at the student’s annual review, and the student’s IEP team is responsible for determining placement.
Preschool
Birth - Preschool Special Education
The Birth to 5 program supports parents with children from newborns to five years old, providing them with programs to empower parents to be their children's first teacher and ensure their child will be preschool and/or kindergarten ready.
The Preschool for All at-risk program is for children ages 3 - 5 years old who have been identified as showing moderate-to-significant delay in educational readiness and/or meet a number of qualifications to make them "at risk" for future educational concerns.
Learn more about Preschool for All
The Early Childhood Special Education Program is for children transitioning from Early Intervention services who require self-contained special education services or have been identified through preschool screening and a case study evaluation conducted by the Early Childhood Assessment Team (ECAT).
Learn more about the Early Childhood Special Education Program
Early Childhood Assessment Team (ECAT): Children who are identified by Early Intervention Services before three years of age are evaluated by the district’s ECAT team.
Early Education Center: Children ages 3 - 5 years old who have been identified as showing moderate-to-significant delay in educational readiness, and/or these children meet a number of qualifications to make them “at risk” for future educational concerns.
Elementary
The U.S. Department of Education's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act presumes that the first placement option considered for each child with a disability is the general education classroom in the school that the child would attend if he/she did not have a disability. The team must also consider what extra supports the student needs that will allow the child to be successful in his or her educational placement.
Co-teaching is the practice of pairing teachers together in a classroom to share the responsibilities of planning, instructing, and assessing students. In a co-teaching setting, the teachers are considered equally responsible and accountable for the classroom. We implement co-teaching between general and special education teachers who pair together to instruct students in the least restrictive environment. Instruction is based on grade-level standards with accommodations and/or modifications as defined by the IEP.
The student then receives specially designed instruction through a special education class for the majority of the school day. The student is included, with support from co-teaching, in those parts of the general education classes when appropriate. Instruction includes components of grade-level standards or power standards, but also focuses on supplemental materials for minimizing gaps in their learning. Students whose educational needs require a smaller class size, individualized support, and an alternative or modified curriculum for learning.
These instructional programs are offered at all elementary schools.
Educational Life Skills (ELS):
Students receive specially designed instruction through a self-contained special education classroom for the majority of the school day. Students are included, with extensive support and/or modifications, including an alternative curriculum for their learning day. Instruction includes the Essential Elements and may qualify for alternative assessments such as DLM and/or Alternate ACCESS.
These students need additional support for learning that is provided by a smaller class size, a functional curriculum, and a modified academic program. These students may have extensive medical needs and multiple disabilities.
Ellis Elementary has three ELS classrooms with one targeting students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) requiring intensive language supports.
Instructional
The student then receives specially designed instruction through a special education class for the majority of the school day. The student is included, with support from co-teaching, in those parts of the general education classes when appropriate. Instruction includes components of grade-level standards or power standards, but also focuses on supplemental materials for minimizing gaps in their learning. Students whose educational needs require a smaller class size, individualized support, and an alternative or modified curriculum for learning.
Learning Appropriate Behaviors (LAB)
Students whose behavior needs are so significant that they require their general education academic curriculum to be provided in a more restrictive educational setting. The classroom utilizes point sheets and behavior level systems.
Beach Elementary School has one LAB classroom and is a cross-categorical, multi-age instructional program for students whose social/emotional needs require a smaller class size with individualized support. Students attend PE and exploratory classes with their general education peers.
Secondary
Middle School & High School
Educational Life Skills (ELS)
Students with significant impairment in their cognitive, adaptive behavior, communication, and/or academic functioning.
- A functional academic curriculum is the foundation for the program, with a focus on life skills to facilitate independence.
- Opportunities for social and academic integration with age-appropriate peers in the general education setting.
- Community-based learning experiences that foster the application of life skills within the context of the community.
- Coffee Cart and Work Crew Placements with our Round Lake Community partners or businesses.
Learning Appropriate Behaviors (LAB)
Students whose behavior needs are so significant that they require their general education academic curriculum to be provided in a more restrictive educational setting. The classroom utilizes point sheets and behavior level systems.
Instructional
The student then receives specially designed instruction through a special education class for the majority of the school day. The student is included, with support from co-teaching, in those parts of the general education classes when appropriate. Instruction includes components of grade-level standards or power standards, but also focuses on supplemental materials for minimizing gaps in their learning. Students whose educational needs require a smaller class size, individualized support, and an alternative or modified curriculum for learning.
Small Group Instructional (SGI) Programs
Middle School Instructional Program is a cross-categorical, multi-age instructional program for students whose educational needs require a smaller class size, individualized support, and alternative or modified curriculum for learning through the school day. Students attend PE and exploratory classes with their general education peers.
The High School Instructional Program is the same cross-categorical program as the Middle School, with an increased focus on vocational training, including participation in our Panther Work Crew placements with our Round Lake community business partners. Students are required to meet all RLHS graduation requirements.
Transition
At the Round Lake Transition Center, we provide meaningful experiences for graduated Round Lake High School students, ages 18 - 22, with work opportunities through community outings, and they gain life skills to become independent adults. Students will develop social skills to learn how to build relationships at work, with family, and with peers.
Our transition services include:
- Job exploration counseling
- Work-based learning experiences
- Counseling on post-secondary education
- Workplace readiness training
- Instruction in self-advocacy
The Round Lake Transition Center is located at 801 Sunset Drive in Round Lake.