Chicago Public School officials say they will be overhauling the district’s special education program to eradicate problems that may make it difficult for the city’s children with disabilities to get the right services, according to the Chicago Tribune.
“A special need should not prevent a child from learning,” district spokeswoman Monique Bond, told the paper. “This is an area where time is of the essence because these are students and children whose needs are at risk when we don’t address their issues in a timely manner. We’re very cognizant of that.”
She told the Tribune that the changes would help make the $850 million-a-year special education program more “parent-friendly.”
The district plans to implement a data-driven system that will track special education students from the moment families make contact with their local schools, the article said. She also said the district plans to begin keeping track of parent complaints regarding special education, so potential problems can be addressed, the article said.
