The Prairie Hill School District, in conjunction with the Winnebago County Special Education Cooperative, provide specifically designed instructional programs for all children with disabilities including those children who are mentally impaired, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired, visually handicapped, emotionally disturbed, hospitalized/homebound, or children with specific learning disabilities.

Programs range from consult to specifically designed instruction in resource rooms to self-contained classrooms in order to provide a free and appropriate public education for all students with disabilities. Students in the District who are eligible for services may receive specialized instruction from special education teachers, a speech clinician, or other related service providers such as school social worker, occupational therapist, physical therapist, nurse, hearing itinerant or vision itinerant.

Children considered for special programs are evaluated by the school psychologist and additional school specialist personnel. Parents/guardians receive a detailed explanation of the evaluation and are asked to provide their input in the development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for their child. It is essential that the school and parent/guardian work cooperatively to plan for programming that meets the special needs of each student with a disability.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a broad civil rights law protecting the rights of individuals with conditions that substantially limit a major life activity. Students attending Prairie Hill School District, having medical conditions that substantially limit a major life activity, will be evaluated by school staff under Section 504. A written “Section 504 Service Plan” can be developed to provide reasonable accommodations at school to provide access to the school environment, building, and curriculum. Examples of medical conditions that may interfere with learning can include asthma, attention deficit disorder (hyperactivity), vision or hearing impairments, or other medical disorders. Questions may be addressed to the Section 504 District Coordinator Sarah Burk, Principal Kevin Finnegan, or Principal Jacqui Thompson.