Director
Kelly Grapperhaus - email
343-2878 ext. 256
Collinsville Unit 10 Special Education provides a range of services to over 1,000 students with disabilities. Our staff members include 71 special education teachers, 10 speech/language pathologists, 13 social workers, 8 school nurses, 65 educational assistants and other program assistants, 4 health care attendants, adaptive PE, and occupational and physical therapists. Four building-level coordinators provide technical assistance to special and general education staff and administrators. Over 50% of our students with IEPs are included in the general education setting at least 60% of the school day.
We are on Year 3 of the Strategic Plan for Special Education that was developed in 2004.
Vision
Through inclusive schools and a challenging curriculum, the CUSD 10
Special Education Program prepares all students to become productive and
contributing members of the community.
Mission
All students with special needs in CUSD 10 will receive exemplary
special education services in the Least Restrictive Environment.
Core Values
Partnerships with families
By working closely with families, students are assured a consistent and
coordinated educational experience.
Inclusive environment
Inclusion provides opportunities for students to interact with peers,
benefit from positive role models and promotes understanding and acceptance
of individual differences.
Challenging curriculum
An individually based curriculum derived from state learning standards
and emphasizing higher order thinking skills will maximize student
achievement.
Individuality of each child
Recognize and build upon the unique strengths and abilities of each
child.
Use of positive interventions
Relevant and consistent interventions will optimize students’
opportunities to succeed. Interventions will be timely, respectful and
appropriate.
Collaboration between regular and special education
staff
Successful collaboration is fostered by open lines of communication and
a commitment to a decision making process emphasizing consensus building and
teamwork.
Adequate resources
A progressive, successful educational program relies on a budget that
provides for the necessary number of well trained and highly qualified
teachers and support staff. In addition, the budget should support
sufficient numbers of up to date textbooks, materials, supplies and
equipment.
Initiatives
The Special Education Department has several new initiatives we are implementing during the 2006-2007 school year. They include:
Implementing the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA)
Training teachers and support staff in using supplemental reading programs such as Lindamood-Bell and Read Naturally
Providing training for general and special education teachers in co-teaching, inclusive practices and differentiated instruction
Implementing a blended classroom with the Pre-Kindergarten program