catalyst-chicago.org

The Illinois State Board of Education is backing off its proposal to cut Chicago’s special education allocation by $53 million this year, but the district still faces the threat of a fundamental change to the way it receives state funding.

Although details are still emerging around the compromise version of the federal stimulus package, Chicago Public Schools CFO Pedro Martinez was able to estimate the district’s increase in special education funding will be around $50 million—about $16 million less than the original bill.

Martinez says it’s unclear to what degree the district will be required to use the money to expand services in special education programs or use it, instead, to fill budget gaps in existing programs. Regardless, Martinez says the district will spend at least some money expanding a process called Response to Intervention. RTI forces regular education teachers to document interventions that they have used for students with behavior or academic difficulties before referring them to special education.

Officials at Perspectives Charter Schools received a letter last month alleging that special education students at one of its campuses are not receiving adequate services, and that another letter was on its way to the Illinois State Board of Education.

The same day, Chantelle Allen, one of the five teachers who signed the letter, says she was fired. The state plans to launch an investigation.