During the 2017-18 school year, ISBE conducted a Public Inquiry regarding the Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) special education policies and procedures. The Public Inquiry's 42-page
Final Report
issued detailed factual findings over the course of several months via a transparent investigation process including evidence and testimony provided by all parties. The Final Report addressed and discussed the findings regarding four primary issues identified earlier by the Public Inquiry Team:
- Whether
CPS's electronic IEP system, either alone or in conjunction with CPS's Policies and Procedures, resulted in an unlawful denial or delay of required services or limitations on the required continuum of services to students;
- Whether CPS's
documentation and data collection requirements resulted in unlawful denial or delay in the identification of eligibility or provision of special education and related services to students;
- Whether CPS's
budgeting system resulted in unlawful denial or delay in the provision of special education and related services to students; and
- Whether CPS's
policies regarding transportation resulted in an unlawful denial or delay in the provision of needed transportation services to students.
The ISBE Public Inquiry Team issued a
Corrective Action Report in May 2018, which resulted in the appointment of an ISBE Monitor to implement ISBE's specified recommendations and serve as a liaison for special education between ISBE and CPS.
The ISBE Monitor continues to be accessible to CPS Parents and CPS staff in the capacity that they gather information regarding specific complaints or concerns related to special education practices and procedures within CPS. This information is utilized to identify trends within specific CPS schools, Networks, and/or departments to develop more targeted corrective actions and CPS staff trainings in collaboration with the CPS Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).
It is important to understand that the Monitor's role is not intended to supplant IEP team decisions, nor take the place of Parents' procedural remedies such as Mediation, State-based complaints, ISBE Facilitated IEP Meetings, and Due Process hearings.
BEYOND THE PUBLIC INQUIRY – STATE MONITORING & ENHANCED GENERAL SUPERVISION
Overview
Every State Education Agency (SEA), such as ISBE, is responsible for ensuring the general supervision of all educational programs for children with disabilities in its state. In Illinois, the ISBE Special Education Department is responsible for enforcing the requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and ensuring continuous improvement via school districts.
ISBE’s general supervision system is characterized by multiple, interrelated operational components that function in a manner to form a comprehensive system. The federally identified components of a State’s General Supervision System are:
- State Performance Plan
- Policies, Procedures, and Effective Practices
- Effective Dispute Resolution
- Data on Processes and Results
- Integrated Monitoring Activities
- Targeted Technical Assistance and Professional Development
- Improvement, Correction, Incentives, and Sanctions
- Fiscal Management and Accountability
Feel free to visit our
Special Education page for additional insight and resources.
ISBE and the Chicago Public Schools
Commencing with the 2022-23 school year, ISBE transitioned from the previously separate monitoring activities of the ISBE Public Inquiry Corrective Action (2018-2022) and the ongoing ISBE special education monitoring system to a consolidated “Enhanced General Supervision Plan (EGSP)” of CPS special education The rationale for the EGSP was CPS’ continued LEA Determination status, persistent dispute resolution and complaint topics, and continued oversight of elements identified by the Public Inquiry. CPS and ISBE collaborated to create an EGSP that aims to not only increase compliance with the IDEA, but also strives to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. The plan is revisited every school year to address current areas of identified noncompliance and plan specific support and technical assistance needed from ISBE staff to facilitate growth and improvements regarding all components of general supervision.
