Inclusion Policy
Kinzie School Mission Statement:
Kinzie Elementary School’s rigorous curriculum and diverse environment empowers all students to become critical thinkers, lifelong learners, global citizens and visionary leaders of the future.
Chicago Public Schools - Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS):
Kinzie School follows all guidance as related to the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and state law described in the Procedural Manual - Guidance on Providing Special Education and Related Services to Students with Disabilities - July, 2017. Should the policies, procedures and guidelines contained within the guidance document be modified at any point, an update will be shared with staff and families and reflected on cps.edu/odlss.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
Under the IDEA and its related federal regulations which govern special education, as well as the Illinois statute and regulations discussed below, students with disabilities have a right to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). The IDEA defines students with disabilities as students, ages 3 through 21 (day before the 22nd birthday), who have been identified with one of the disabling conditions identified in the statute which adversely affect educational performance and require special education. The IDEA and its implementing regulations provide students with disabilities and their parents/guardians with procedural safeguards regarding the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of and the provision of a FAPE to students with disabilities. Essential to these procedural safeguards is the involvement of parents/guardians.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:
The purpose of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is to (1) eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity provided by school districts and other educational providers that receive federal financial assistance and (2) ensure that students who are Section 504-eligible have equal educational opportunities equivalent to those of their nondisabled peers. Unlike the IDEA, Section 504 does not limit coverage to certain specific categories of disabilities and no categorical labels are necessary. Instead, a student with a disability under Section 504 is defined as one who (1) has a physical or mental health impairment that substantially limits a major life activity (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.
Article 14 of the Illinois School Code and 23 Illinois Administrative Code 226:
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has promulgated rules to implement Article 14 of the Illinois School Code, which applies to the education of students with disabilities. These rules provide further specificity regarding requirements for the identification, evaluation, educational placement, and provision of FAPE to students with disabilities. In addition, rules are provided for the administration of special education, the design of special education programs (including class size), home or hospital programs, State-operated or private programs, special education personnel, transportation and residential care facilities.
Link to CPS ODLSS Procedural Manual: http://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/ODLSSProceduralManualuly.pdf
Kinzie adheres to the rules and regulations of Chicago Public School and Illinois State Board of Education. Adjustments to this policy will be followed as mandated by law.
Link to CPS ODLSS Procedural Manual: http://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/ODLSSProceduralManualuly.pdf
Kinzie adheres to the rules and regulations of Chicago Public School and Illinois State Board of Education. Adjustments to this policy will be followed as mandated by law.
Communication of Policy:
The Kinzie community believes that all of its stakeholders should take an active role in shaping and implementing school policies. All policies will be reviewed and updated at the beginning of each school year. The policy will be made available to all stakeholders in multiple languages as well as on the school website. https://kinzie.cps.edu
Review Process
The policy was originally drafted February, 2018.
Kinzie stakeholders will review this policy annually.
Kinzie stakeholders will review this policy annually.