Special Programs

Early Childhood Special Education

The Early Childhood Special Education Program is for children ages 3 through 5.  Referrals for evaluation to determine eligibility for this program are made through Early Intervention or through the Child find process which is typically by parent referral.

Speech-Language Services

Students can qualify for speech and language services as a primary disability. The goal of speech-language services is to provide students with the skills needed to be effective communicators. This includes services to address a variety of needs in the areas of articulation, language, fluency, voice, and social communication skills. Within the Kaneland School District, a student is eligible to receive speech-language services when they exhibit speech-language deficits that adversely affect their educational performance.

Resource Special Education

Resource special education services are provided at each school to identified students in grades K through 12 as indicated in each students IEP.  Services may include consultation from a special education staff member, push-in special education services, or pull-out special education services.  Students who receive Resource Services are not removed from the general education environment for more than 50% of their school day.

Integrated Readiness Program

This half day program is for kindergarten students within the district that have been identified as needing 90 minutes or more of special education services which include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, and resource services.  Students attend a general education kindergarten classroom half day and receive all their additional services the opposite half.  This class is held at John Stewart Elementary School.

Instructional Special Education

Kaneland provides Instructional Special Education for students in grades K through 2 at McDole Elementary School, grades 3 through 5 at McDole Elementary School, grades 6 through 8 at Harter Middle School, and grades 9 through 12 at Kaneland High School.  Students identified for these programs require more special education services as indicated on their IEP’s.  Students participate in the general education classroom to the maximum extent possible.

P.A.S.S. Program (Promoting Academic and Social Success)

This middle school special education program is designed for students whose primary needs are emotional in nature.  The program is held in a small structured setting that incorporates a positive behavior system, consistent communication, social skills instruction, set routines, individualized learning strategies, and discrete adult support.  Students are taught self-awareness strategies to monitor their ability to stay on task, complete assignments, focus on instruction, and interact positively with staff and students. 

Students generally spend a minimum of 50% of their day in the P.A.S.S. program.  They are integrated into mainstreamed instruction as specified in each child’s individual IEP.  Students generally participate in science, social studies, physical education, exploratory, and lunch.  In addition, related services are integrated into the classroom activities with direct and/or consultative levels of support.  Social work services help students identify and practice appropriate ways to deal with challenges that occur in and out of the school setting.  Students may have a behavioral intervention plan incorporated into their IEP, which is monitored and reviewed frequently.

The goal of the program is to have each child gain the necessary skills and confidence to fully participate in all school activities and settings with limited supports.

Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative

The Kaneland School District is a member of Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative along with St. Charles, Batavia, Burlington, and Geneva schools.  Mid-Valley offers a variety of programs to identified students whose needs are unable to be met in a student’s residential district.  Mid-Valley’s programs are often located in one of the member districts’ public school buildings.

Additional services are provided by State approved private day and residential facilities to those students who require a more specific learning environment.