Students may receive inclusive support with specialized instruction in their home schools. District 45 also offers self-contained special education programs in several of our buildings for students in preschool through grade 8. District 45 students are also able to access the special education programs, training, and technical support through SASED, our Special Education Cooperative.
In District 45, we view Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) as a preventative mindset and set of evidence-based practices implemented across a system to meet the needs of all learners.
The MTSS framework is broader than response to intervention (RTI) or problem solving alone. It establishes a system intentionally focusing on leadership, professional development, and empowering culture within the context of assessment, curriculum, and instruction to address both academic and social emotional needs. This system emphasizes and values teacher efficacy.
Universal Instruction
For every student
Targeted Instruction
For those students who are struggling/striving or need to be accelerated
Intensive Instruction
For students who are significantly behind/ahead and for whom targeted instruction is not sufficient
The district has a legal obligation to identify students who live within our boundaries or attend private schools within our boundaries who may have a disability. If you believe that your child has a disability, please reach out to your school principal and request a meeting to discuss your concerns. If you have a child birth through five years of age, and you believe that they may have a disability, please refer to our Early Childhood page for information on our screening process. All eligible students are entitled to special education and related services through the age of 21, inclusive (i.e., through the day before the student’s 22nd birthday).
If you have concerns about your child and have not found the information that you need on this website, please contact Diana Brown at [email protected].
PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) is a database of Illinois infants, children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities who have needs for developmental disability services or supports.
Diana Brown, Director of Student Services, serves as the PUNS Coordinator for School District 45. If you have questions about PUNS, please contact Diana Brown or your school’s social worker.
Eligibility determination and service coordination are unique to each individual. All students who have been diagnosed with or are suspected to have an intellectual or developmental disability are likely eligible for additional services and support from the State of Illinois, including enrollment on the PUNS Waiting List. Service, Inc. of Illinois is our region’s program staffed with specialists who can support families in this process. Through their intake process, their specialists will help families understand eligibility for state-funded services. Once eligibility has been confirmed, they will assist the family with exploring the service options that will support and address the individual’s current needs.
1919 S. Highland Ave. Suite A-230
Lombard, IL 60148
630-425-2350