District Special Education Program

Children with disabilities have the right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive setting.  District 68 can implement various supports and monitor a student's progress when academic and/or behavioral concerns arise prior to determining if special education services are warranted. This process is called Response to Intervention (RtI) and is consistent with state and federal legislation. Students who require further evaluations meet with members of an educational team of specialists to determine the scope of the evaluation. District 68 provides an extensive continuum of special education services for children with a variety of individual needs in cooperation with the Niles Township District for Special Education #807. Children are eligible for public school special education services beginning at three years of age.

Students with disabilities who do not qualify for an Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) may qualify for services under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, if the student: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (2) has a record of a physical or mental impairment, or (3) is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment. If you believe your student meets one of the above categories and requires reasonable accommodations, you may contact the special services office,  for more information regarding the identification, assessment, and placement of your student.

The district provides free developmental screenings for preschool-aged children in all developmental areas to include speech and language, learning, social interaction, motor skills, and vision and hearing acuity. Monthly screenings are available within Niles Township schools. If you have concerns about your child's developmental skills, please call 847-677-4560 to make a screening appointment for your preschooler. Appointments are required so that staff can appropriately address developmental concerns.

Related Service Log Notice:  The District maintains related service logs that document the type and number of minutes of related service administered under a students individualized education plan (IEP).  These related service logs will be available to parents/guardians at a student's annual review IEP meeting. Parents/guardians may also request, at any time, a copy of any IEP related service log maintained for their child.  The school district will have 10 days to fulfill this request. Please direct any requests to the Director of Special Services.

In accordance with Public Act 102-0339, District 68 has created a Restraint and Time Out (RTO) Plan to reduce the number of restrictive interventions used to support students who present an imminent risk of harm to self or others. If you would like a copy of the RTO plan on file with the Illinois State Board of Education for District 68, please contact Sharon Jacobellis at sjacobelllis@skokie68.org.

If you have questions about special education services, contact your building principal or Sharon Jacobellis, Director of Student Services, at 847-677-4560 for additional information.

Parent Information Regarding IEP 

ISBE Special Education Parent Rights Guide

Link to NTDSE

Contact Information


Sharon Jacobellis
Director of Student Services
Foster Care Liaison

847-568-8902
SJacobellis@skokie68.org


John Siegler
Student Services Coordinator

Jill Marquardt
Secretary to the Director of Student Services
847-568-8903
jmarquardt@skokie68.org

Heidi Canchola
Early Childhood Office Assistant
847-568-8904
hcanchola@skokie68.org

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