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Needs assessment finds Skokie SD 68 IEP placement rates below state average for full inclusion, recommends districtwide guidance
Summary
A preliminary inclusionary-practices needs assessment by CEC found 40% of students with IEPs in Skokie SD 68 spend 80%+ of their day in general education (state average 55%); recommendations include clearer placement guidance, strengthened progress monitoring, expanded inclusive instructional models, and improved IEP goal development.
The board received a high-level overview of a recently completed needs assessment conducted by CEC that reviewed roughly 75 individualized education programs, classroom observations, and focus groups. Presenter Christina said the review produced both strengths and opportunities for the district’s inclusionary practices.
"We have 40 percent of our students with IEPs who are in a general education setting for 80% or more of their day," Christina said, noting that figure compares with a state average of 55%. She added that 12% of students with IEPs are educated in 100% separate settings, compared with a state average of 7%.
CEC’s initial recommendations, presented as four broad areas for follow-up, include establishing clear districtwide guidance for placement and service-delivery decisions, strengthening systems for progress monitoring and data use, expanding inclusive instructional and service-delivery models, and improving IEP goal development and alignment practices. Board members asked for further analysis of the total percent of students with IEPs in the district; a presenter and another board member cited a district rate of about 19.2% versus a state average of 16.3% and said more detailed data and a multi-year action plan will be developed.
Staff recommended forming a learning team in student services next school year to align recommendations to the strategic plan and to build action plans, likely spanning multiple years.
