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Each State Education Agency (SEA) is responsible for ensuring the general supervision of all educational programs for children with disabilities in the state. In Illinois, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Special Education Services Department is responsible for enforcing the requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and ensuring continuous improvement via Local Education Agencies (LEAs). In carrying out its roles, ISBE is required to oversee the performance of district school boards to assess and ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate children with disabilities, in accordance with the IDEA and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ISBE’s general supervision system is characterized by multiple operational components that are interrelated, and function in such a manner to form a comprehensive system. The system is intended to improve educational results and functional outcomes for children with disabilities. It is also designed to identify noncompliance and ensure correction of identified noncompliance in a timely manner.  The general supervision components discussed here relate to the State Performance Plan (SPP) and Annual Performance Report (APR); data systems to gather data on processes and results; integrated monitoring activities; and strategies for improvement, correction, incentives, and sanctions.​ ​

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​Important Announcements​

Updates to Illinois ABLE account program

Public Act 104-0314PDF Document expands requirements related to the Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (IL ABLE) account program. At present, districts are required to share information about IL ABLE with parents and guardians during the annual Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, districts will also be required to post information about IL ABLE on their district websites and provide information about the program to the parents or guardians of students who have Section 504 plans.

For those attending the upcoming Special Education Directors Conference June 22nd-23rd at the Blooming-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer will be presenting on IL ABLE and are available to answer questions.

For additional details, please review 105 ILCS 5/14-8.02i, the IL ABLE Brochure (English)PDF Document, the IL ABLE Brochure (Spanish)PDF Document, and the IL ABLE website.

Notice of Funding Opportunity- IDEA Part B Grants to States – Fiscal Year 2027 Special Education Paraprofessional Professional Development

Now Available: The Illinois Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part B Application

The Illinois State Board of Education's Special Education Department has posted the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Annual State Application​PDF Document. The application seeks funds that support provision of special education services to children ages 3 to 21 in Illinois.

Approval of the Illinois IDEA Part B FFY 2026 application by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will enable the state to receive a federal grant award under IDEA Part B for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

As you review the application, please note the following:

  • The application is in a format required by OSEP.
  • Illinois is providing general assurances to OSEP that the state will be implementing the provisions of state and federal regulations for Part B of IDEA 2004.
  • The dollar amounts listed in Section III, Use of Funds, are for state-level administration and targeted initiatives, not the cost of servicing students with disabilities or the total cost of special education services in Illinois.
  • The amounts for state-level administration and targeted initiatives are based on FFY 2026 allocation.

In accordance with Public Act 104-0047, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is pleased to announce the release of an updated IEP Facilitation Fact SheetPDF Document.

Additional information and resources related to state-sponsored IEP facilitation - including the State-Sponsored IEP Facilitation Electronic Request Form - can be found on ISBE’s Special Education State-Sponsored IEP Facilitation webpage.

If you have questions, please direct them to ISBESpecEd@isbe.net.

Thank you for your continued support in serving Illinois students.​​​​​​​​​​

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