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Residential placement for special education students is a highly individualized setting designed for those whose educational and behavioral needs cannot be met in traditional school environments. These placements may provide intensive support, including academic instruction, therapeutic services, and life skills training, within the structured residential setting. Residential placement is typically considered only after less restrictive options have been exhausted and this determination is guided by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The goal is to ensure the student receives a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment possible.​

Educational Placement

  • ​Least Restrictive Environment - Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requires that, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities aged 3 through 21, in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are not disabled [34 C.F.R. §300.550 (b)(1)]. Placements by which students with disabilities are removed from the general education environment should occur only if the student's IEP team determines that the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in a general classroom setting, even with the use of supplemental aids and services, cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

  • Parents who may be considering a nonpublic program for special education services should know the following:

    • Unilateral parent placement – If a parent unilaterally places their child in a nonpublic special education program, educational services will be provided to the child at parental expense. The school district will not be required to accept financial responsibility for the service costs associated with such placement. 

    • District placement - ISBE Approved Nonpublic Special Education Programs are used when the IEP team from the public school has determined that the services the student needs can only be provided in a nonpublic setting. The public school district then pays the tuition for all special education and related services provided by the nonpublic school program. All the information on this page is related to these types of schools.

    • Agency placement – Students who are in a residential placement made or paid for by an Illinois public state agency, the school district may be responsible for the educational cost of the placement. However, if the residential placement is not an ISBE Approved Nonpublic Special Education Program, there may be additional steps necessary for the program to demonstrate satisfactory proof of its ability to provide the services outlined in the student's IEP.  For programs interested in applying for approval under Section 14-7.05, please email 405@isbe.net.

  • For rates, claims and reimbursement information please refer to Funding and Disbursements or Illinois Purchased Care Review Board.&

  • Implementation of Services

    • Once a placement has been made, the nonpublic program assumes responsibility to implement the entire IEP and collect/analyze data on progress. Although nonpublic schools will provide the necessary special education services as dictated by the IEP, the placing school district is ultimately responsible for their student(s) placed at these programs and ensuring that the student receives services appropriately.

    • Further, the placing school district is responsible for development, review, and revision of the IEP. Nonpublic schools and their professional and certified staff will provide educational, clinical, and when appropriate, vocational programming to students. The nonpublic school is responsible for developing a curriculum appropriate to the needs of the enrolled students that teaches the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools. Transcript credits are agreed upon at the IEP meeting and are accepted by/awarded by the placing public school district.

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