Gurnee School District #56 provides a continuum of services to our special education students.

• Speech and Language Services

• Related Services

• Inclusion Services

• Integrated Co-Teaching

• Specialized Classes

• Special Education Classes (SEDOL Sector Programs)

• Public Therapeutic Day Schools (SEDOL)

• Private Therapeutic Day Schools (Out-of-District Placement)

• Home and Hospital Instruction    

SEDOL (Special Education District of Lake County)                                     

What is an IEP?
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a written statement of the educational program designed to meet the needs of a student who has been found eligible for special education services and is developed by an IEP team. The IEP includes a detailed description of what will be done to give the student the extra help needed.

Who is on the IEP Team?
Parent(s) or Legal Guardian(s) - Parents are equal participants.
Student – The student may attend and participate if the parent(s) decide he/she should be present or once they turn 14 years of age.
General Education Teacher - The IEP team must include a general education teacher who has knowledge of the curriculum and may be responsible for implementing the IEP, if the child is, or may be, participating in the general education environment.
Special Education Teacher - There must be a special education teacher on the IEP team who is responsible for implementing the IEP.
School Administrator - This person must know about the general education curriculum and be able to ensure that the IEP is implemented and has the authority to commit resources.
Evaluation Personnel - This person must be someone who can explain evaluation and/or test results.
Personnel with Specific Knowledge - If the child has services required by a specialist (speech/language therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, etc.) these people also need to attend the meeting.
Others with knowledge or special expertise about the student - The parents or the school may bring other people to the IEP meeting such as community service providers, advocates, lawyers, a family member or friend for support, etc.

Related Service Logs
Students with disabilities may receive related services as part of their individual education programs (IEPs). The [school district or special education cooperative] will maintain related service logs that record the type and number of minutes of the related service(s) administered to such students. Copies of any related service logs will be available to parents/guardians at their child’s annual review IEP meeting. Parents/guardians of students with disabilities may also request copies of their child’s related service logs at any time.


For more information regarding Special Education in Illinois you can go to:

What does an IEP include?

• Present levels of academic and functional performance

• Annual goals

• Measurements of progress and how progress will be shared

• What special education and related services will be provided

• How the child will access the general education curriculum

• The modifications or supports that will be provided

• Assessment information (which assessments will be administered, any accommodations to the assessments)

• A description of any assistive technology, including training, the student or staff may need

• Special training or support that the student, the parent and school staff need in order to ensure the student is provided  (Free and Appropriate Education) FAPE

• A discussion of whether the student needs additional help and support when school is not in session (Extended School Year Services [ESY])

• Beginning when the child turns 14½, appropriate transition services, including post-secondary services and supports.

• The placement of the child that will implement the IEP.

IEP Questions—Things to Think About

• What has the student learned this year?

• What are the student’s strengths and interests?

• What are the concerns for the student’s education?

• What should the student learn next?

• What does the student want to learn next?

• What are the supports and services the student needs to make progress on her goals?