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Special‑education coordinator Jen Weber highlights inclusion, assistive tech and transition programs
Summary
Jen Weber, Bethalto CUSD 8 special‑education coordinator, gave the board a tour of district special‑education services across preschool through high school, spotlighting co‑teaching, a 170‑student buddy program, an eye‑gaze communication success, and transition programs that prepare students for post‑school life.
Jen Weber, the district’s special‑education coordinator, told the board the presentation was designed to show what staff in each building are doing to support students with diverse needs.
“Through recruiting, students learn through play alongside their peers with diverse abilities, forming friendships and developing the communication, cooperation, and self regulation skills that will support their academic and social success in kindergarten and beyond,” Weber said while describing preschool blended classes and integrated play‑based learning.
Inclusion practices: Weber described co‑taught classrooms at several elementary sites and credited paraprofessionals and PLC time for improving coordination between special and regular education. At Parkside Primary staff described a large buddy program—about 170 second‑ and third‑grade volunteers—who support classmates with communication or physical disabilities and sometimes use communication devices in peer interactions.
Assistive technology and student examples: Kelly Birning, Parkside speech pathologist, described an eye‑gaze communication tool that enabled a nonverbal student, identified in the presentation as Margaret, to communicate phrases using eye gaze: “What’s up, buttercup?” Birning said the technology has expanded the student’s social participation. Weber also highlighted staff who supported students progressing to physical goals such as taking steps and spoken goals like saying “mom.”
Secondary and transition supports: Weber summarized middle‑ and high‑school supports, including an Eagle Academy classroom at the middle school used to transition students back into the regular schedule, a high‑school PEC vocational program (formerly STEP) that teaches job skills through a student‑run corner cafe and other real‑world experiences, and partnerships with community programs (Lewis and Clark and Goodwill) to support post‑school transitions.
Placements and capacity: Weber said the district currently has close to 20 students placed outside the district in regional programs (listed in the presentation as Region 3 placements, including William Bedell ARC and Hope Academy). She said move‑ins with significant IEP needs have contributed to that number and flagged ongoing work to manage in‑district supports where appropriate.
What happens next: Weber closed by inviting questions and offering to continue the conversation about special education resourcing and placement decisions. The board did not take formal action during the presentation.
