Services

Assistive Technology

The Assistive Technology Team provides information and trains IEP teams in SASED programs and in its member districts, to effectively consider and/or implement Assistive Technology for students with disabilities. Assistive Technology empowers students with disabilities to increase their independence, participation, and productivity in order to function successfully within their educational environment. The team members have a multi-disciplinary background but are highly trained Assistive Technology specialists.

Diagnostic/Audiology

Diagnostic Services are provided to the 18 member districts of SASED and to the additional 74 member districts of the DuPage/West Cook regional cooperative. These services include: 

  • Audiology
  • Hearing and Vision Screenings
  • Ear Mold Services
  • Low Incidence Psychological Evaluations

Instructional Support Team

SASED’s Instructional Support Team (IST) is a highly trained and diverse group of educational specialists with backgrounds in educational psychology, applied behavior analysis, positive behavior supports (PBIS), multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), mental health and special education. They have broad training, experience and skills that apply to a wide range of student ages, disabilities and learning styles. These specialists work across both SASED and member district classrooms from Early Childhood through Transition. IST provides technical assistance through direct coaching and problem solving to classroom teachers and building-based teams for students who present with behavioral concerns related to their academic or social-emotional learning. In addition, IST delivers professional development across numerous topics designed to teach awareness and application of technical skills in all areas related to student learning. The members of IST are skilled collaborators and employ the most contemporary evidence-based practices to design proactive behavioral intervention strategies and differentiation of instruction.  

Itinerant Services

Itinerant Servicesare available to all SASED member districts.  Itinerant teachers provide consultative and/or instructional services to students with hearing and visual impairments.  

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services are provided to students as described in the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA). As related services, OT and PT provide specialized interventions to support students' independence and participation in their educational program. The role of occupational and physical therapy in the schools is fourfold: 1) To provide an accurate assessment of student needs in the learning environment; 2) To support teaching staff by providing information on how to interact safely, comfortably and effectively with students; 3) To help adapt programming and the school environment to meet individual student needs and 4) To provide therapeutic intervention as needed to allow the student to benefit from his/her individualized education program within the least restrictive environment. SASED OT and PT staff provide services to students in SASED programs and within member district schools.

School Improvement

The School Improvement team members work with districts and programs in a preventative model to enhance the outcomes for all students. They are highly skilled professional coaches who provide comprehensive school improvement services tailored to meet the district, program, or school’s specific identified needs. Services are planned and delivered using the continuous improvement model of assessing needs, developing capacity, implementing, and evaluating results.

The School Improvement Team can:

  • develop, conduct, and/or report results on needs assessments for a district/program (e.g., conduct a district needs assessment incorporating analysis of student outcomes data, teacher evaluation data, & professional learning needs)
  • provide training, coaching, and/or technical assistance to build staff capacity in a variety of areas (e.g., Evidence Based Instructional Strategies training for all staff; providing technical assistance to grade level teams in instructional strategies chosen by the team; instructional coaching to model & support teachers as the implement the strategies)
  • develop, collect, and/or analyze assessments and assessment data (e.g., assist teams in the development of common formative assessments; analyze impact of different intervention programs on student outcomes; create/administer fidelity assessment rubric for implementation of CHAMPS)
  • Current district and program School Improvement Services projects include Response to Intervention (RTI) coaching, improvement of academic IEPs, curriculum development, formative and summative assessment, continuum of services, differentiation, and coaching of Professional Learning Communities (PLC).

Sample School Improvement Team training topics:

  • Executive Functioning
  • Formative/Summative Assessment
  • Writing SLO’s for Student Growth
  • Supporting, Accommodating, and Scaffolding the Common Core
  • IEP Goal Writing/Progress Monitoring – Academics, SLP, Functional Life Skills
  • Evidence Based Instructional Strategies (Marzano & Hattie)
  • Using Spreadsheets for Data Collection and Graphing
  • PLC’s & Data Review Meetings
  • CHAMPS
  • Connecting Standards to Instruction for Students with Disabilities