Welcome to the D91 Special Education Services Web Page

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Larry Spencer
Special Education Administrator
lspencer@d91.net
815-838-0737, extension 1138
Fax: 815-834-4339

From the Desk of Mr. Spencer

Lockport District 91 acknowledges the existence of individual differences in the intellectual, social, emotional, communication and physical development of children. As a member of the Lockport Area Special Education Cooperative, Lockport District 91 adheres to all relevant Federal (Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act-IDEA) and State laws and regulations regarding the education of children with disabilities. 

Ongoing Child Find activities are conducted to assure that those children with suspected disabilities are identified and offered the specialized instruction necessary to assure they receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Child Find activities also include free screenings for preschool aged children conducted by the Lockport Area Special Cooperative(LASEC).

For a child to be eligible for special education services there must be a disability that adversely affects a child’s educational performance and that requires specialized instruction.  Eligibility determinations are made by a multi-disciplinary IEP team, which includes parents/guardians. This team evaluates the child and if eligible develops, delivers, and assesses his or her program on at least an annual basis.

Our full continuum of services is available to eligible children ages 3 to 8th grade and includes modifications and accommodations in the classroom delivered by certified general or special education teachers, paraprofessionals, speech/language therapists, or related services personnel. According to the needs as determined by the IEP team, services can include resource support, instructional services, LASEC Cooperative self-contained programs, public or private day school placement, residential placement, and home instruction. This continuum maximizes opportunities for inclusion in the general education environment and offers services in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for that child. LRE requires that (to the maximum extent appropriate) children with disabilities aged 3 through 21 in public or private institutions or other care facilities are educated with children who are not disabled [34 C.F.R. §300.550 (b)(1)]. In addition, children with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in nonacademic services and extracurricular activities (34 C.F.R. §300.553).

Questions about special education services may be directed to any of the Lockport District 91 administrators or to Larry Spencer, Special Education Administrator 815-838-0737. 


Helpful resources for parents/guardians: ​