Illinois State Board of Education
{{CurrentPage.Topics.DisplayName}} {{CurrentPage.Subtopic_x0020_Level_x0020_1}}

{{CurrentPage.Title}}

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.​ ​

Grants & Fiscal Management

ISBE’s fiscal management of IDEA Part B funds involve distributing funds to LEAs in accordance with federal requirements and directing discretionary funding to support areas needing improvement in the state. Guidance and oversight are provided to ensure districts are eligible to receive funds, which are used by groups made up of representatives from around the state to identify target areas to be addressed.​​

Technical Assistance & Professional Development

ISBE’s technical assistance system addresses both the timely correction of noncompliance and improved results for students with disabilities through an array of modalities and graduated levels of intensity, from consultation to ongoing support. ISBE’s technical assistance system provides support to LEAs to strengthen capacity and sustainability. ​

Data on Processes and Results

​​ISBE’s continuous collection, verification, examination, analysis, reporting, status determination, and improvement of data are encompassed under this general supervision component. Timeliness and accuracy of data are emphasized. Data is used to identify patterns or trends, evaluate the performance of LEAs, select LEAs for onsite monitoring activities, determine the status of each LEA, improve programs, measure progress, design technical assistance activities, etc. Data is also used to identify technical assistance and professional development needs throughout the state.

Additional Resources​

Policies, Procedures & Implementation

ISBE’s policies and procedures describe the methods used to identify and correct noncompliance. ISBE’s policies and procedures align with IDEA and the Illinois Administrative Code. ISBE addresses effective implementation of practices through program improvement, which includes planning, coordination, incentives, and follow-up.​

Integrated Monitoring

ISBE utilizes the Special Education Accountability and Support System to monitor special education programming in Local Education Agencies (LEAs) throughout Illinois. In carrying out its roles of leadership, resource allocation, technical assistance, monitoring, and evaluation, ISBE is required to oversee the performance of LEAs to assess and ensure the effectiveness of efforts to educate children with disabilities, in accordance with the IDEA and ESSA.

ISBE determines the status of each LEA on an annual basis and addresses corrective action planning and follow-up tracking of correction and improvement. Ensuring correction of noncompliance and meeting state targets though incentives and sanctions is also part of this component. ISBE utilizes a range of sanctions to enforce correction as necessary to improve outcomes for Illinois school children.

State Performance Plan & Annual Performance Report

​ISBE’s State Performance Plan (SPP) functions as an accountability mechanism and the actual plan for systems change. It documents quantifiable indications of performance in the priority areas of free appropriate public education in the Least Restrictive Environment, disproportionality, and effective supervision. Measurable and effective targets exist for each SPP indicator with the intention of leading to improved results for children and youth with disabilities. Annual performance reporting is required via the Annual Performance Report to address ISBE’s progress toward meeting its targets. Stakeholder involvement remains key in the development and implementation of the SPP. ​

State Performance Plan (SPP)/Annual Performance Report (APR)​

​Stakeholder Input

Effective Dispute Resolution

Early resolution is an informal means for districts and parents to resolve issues at the local level. It is not uncommon for disagreements to occur between parents and school districts regarding a child's special education services. Those disagreements can often be resolved at the local level with open communication between the parties. The process of resolving disagreements at the local level can be a quick alternative to using a state-sponsored dispute resolution system, and can have the added benefit of improving communication between both parties in the future.​​

If an individual believes that a school district has not complied with the law or that a child's educational rights has been violated, the individual should try to resolve the issues with the local school district, through the following steps:

Additional Information​

Specialized Placements

Specialized placements provide a wide variety of services to students in several different types of environments, including non-public special education programs, private/parochial programs, residential placements, separate public day school programs, and special education cooperatives. Each of these types of placements helps serve and promote the continuation and improvement of Individualized Education Program (IEP) services for students with disabilities.

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

Individualized Education Programs

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan that describes the special education instruction, supports, and services that students with disabilities are legally entitled to receive.  An IEP is developed by school staff members, the student's parents/guardians and the student (when appropriate). The required contents of an IEP are determined by the student's needs and age as well as federal and state laws. 

IEP Forms and Assessment Information

  • The IEP forms required to complete an IEP, including transition, behavioral, and eligibility forms.
  • Information on assessment for students with disabilities, including instructions and guidelines.

Required Notice and Consent Forms

  • Required Notice and Consent Forms including guiding documents to complete each form.​

Summary of Performance​

A Summary of Performance formPDF Document ​(Updated 11/29/2021)  needs to be completed prior to the student exiting high school when graduating or aging out. Please read the directions to complete the Summary of Performance form PDF Document ​(Posted 11/29/2021) for additional information.

Technical Assistance:

The IEP-Q Tutorial is an online resource developed at the University of Illinois with federal and ISBE funding designed to assist IEP teams in writing high quality IEPs that are individualized, based on data, connected to standards, and clearly tied to a student's instructional needs. This help site was created to assist education professionals to improve Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students. On this site, you can create goals based on State Standards, develop more individualized goals for each student, and find answers to your questions about writing quality IEPs for your students.​​​​​​​​​

Parents/Guardians Information

All parents can positively impact their children's learning and healthy development, and when families, schools and communities partner together, schools thrive and students benefit. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to navigate the educational system and know how to best work with district and school personnel. Often, parents of students with disabilities face additional challenges. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has developed some web pages and resources specifically for parents of students with disabilities.

A good starting place for parents of students with disabilities

A Parent's Guide - Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.

This booklet is for parents to use to keep important information about their child and his/her special education and related services. It is a companion to A Parent's Guide - Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.

Educational Surrogate Parents Program

Laws, Regulation, and Guidance

Resources​

Alternate Assessment 1% Threshold

Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) [ESEA §111(b)(2)(D) and 34 CFR 200.6(c) and (d)], modifies the provision that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities may participate in alternate assessments based on alternate academic achievement standards.  ESSA places a 1 percent threshold on the number of students who may participate in alternate assessments.  It also requires states to provide oversight to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) when the alternate assessment 1% participation threshold is exceeded. The alternate state accountability assessment, Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) AA is aligned to the DLM-AA Essential Elements which are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards. Information regarding the DLM-AA and DLM-AA Essential Elements can be found on the DLM-AA Assessment page​.​​

SY 26 Virtual Meetings

  • Alternate Assessment Office Hours Professional Learning 1
    Join us for a webinar on Mar 05, 2026 at 10:00 AM CSTGo To Webinar Link.
    This webinar will focus on using data systems and data analysis to make decisions about student participation in the Alternate Assessment. Attendance is required for Tier 3 (Intensive) support districts and highly recommended for Tier 2 (Targeted) and Tier 1 (Universal) support districts.
  • Alternate Assessment Office Hours Professional Learning 2
    Join us for a webinar on Apr 09, 2026 at 10:00 AM CDTGo To Webinar Link.
    This webinar will focus on ISBE resources available to support districts in making decisions on students participating in the Alternate Assessment. Attendance is required for Tier 3 (Intensive) support districts and highly recommended for Tier 2 (Targeted) and Tier 1 (Universal) support districts.
  • Alternate Assessment Office Hours Professional Learning 3
    Join us for a webinar on Thu, May 7, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDTGo To Webinar Link.
    This webinar will focus on district policy, procedure, and practice development pertaining to identifying students for participation in the Alternate Assessment. Attendance is required for Tier 3 (Intensive) support districts and highly recommended for Tier 2 (Targeted) and Tier 1 (Universal) support districts.​​​

​SY 26 Resources​

Significant Disproportionality

"Significant disproportionality" describes a pattern where students from one or more racial and ethnic groups are identified for special education, placed in more restrictive educational settings, and disciplined at higher rates than their peers. Under 20 U.S.C 1418 (d) and 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §300.646, states must provide for the collection and examination of data to annually determine whether significant disproportionality based on race or ethnicity is occurring in the State and local education agencies (LEAs) with respect to three areas.

  1. Identification
    The identification of students with disabilities, including the identification of children as children with disabilities in accordance with a particular impairment described in section 602(3) of the Act.
  2. Educational Environment
    The placement of children with disabilities in particular educational settings.
  3. Disciplinary Removals
    The incidence, duration, and type of disciplinary actions, including suspensions and expulsions of children with disabilities.

OSEP Memo 07-09: Disproportionality of Racial and Ethnic Groups in Special EducationPDF Document

OSEP Memo 08-09: Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) GuidancePDF Document

For IDEA Part B Grant Information: IDEA Part B Grant Program​​

    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.​​​​​​​​​​​

    Resources

    Newsletters

    * * * This page has been archived. The content on this page may no longer be in effect. * * *

    Contact Information