|
|
Q: How do we initiate the placement of a student in the program?
A: The student’s “home district” completes the
required paperwork for placement, which can be faxed or mailed to the intake
coodinator at the site closest to the home school. If the RISE staff determines
that the student is appropriate for placement, the campus intake coordinator
will set up an intake conference, which will include district school
representative(s), the student and parent(s)/guardian(s), and RISE staff, where
they will develop and Individual Optional Educational Plan (IOEP). The student
is then administratively transferred from the home district to the program.
Q: Who qualifies for placement in
the program?
A: Public school students in grades 6 through 12 who
are multiple suspension, or expulsion eligible within the South Cook ISC 4
geographic region. If the student is expelled, they are no longer eligible for
placement. Only superintendents and/or their designee can recommend placement.
Q: Does the
program accept student classified as special education?
A: The RISE program does not normally accept students
classified as special education since the program does not provide academic or
other supportive services. That is the requirement of the “home district”. This
is not a special education program; it is a program for students who are
multiple suspension or expulsion eligible.
Q: Does the RISE program accept all students
who are recommended?
A: RISE accepts most students who are multiple
suspension or expulsion eligible; however, the program has the right to refuse
placement of students who are a danger to themselves or others based upon
disciplinary history and severity of behavior. Our staff will work closely with
the “home district” staff to determine appropriateness of placement.
Q: How
long is the student placed in the program?
A: Students must complete
one full semester. This means that if a student enters after the start of a
semester, they will complete that semester as well as the following semester in
the program. Students may be placed in lieu of expulsion for the term of the
possible expulsion. Review and return dates are identified at the time of the
intake meeting.
Q: What is the cost for placement?
A: For current tuition
contact Joani Fadool at (708) 754-6600. Districts are billed quarterly and must
pay the full quarter amount for any fraction of the quarter the student is
placed.
Q: Who claims the
student for General State Aid?
A: RISE claims the student for General State Aid purposes, as determined
by law.
Q: Who takes care of
transportation?
A: The home school district is responsible for
transportation. The home district must arrange for and pay all transportation
costs. All transportation arrangements must be completed prior to final
acceptance into the program. If a problem occurs with drop off and pick up
times, the parent/guardian, transportation company and home district will be
notified. Should the problem persist, the home district may be charged a fee to
offset RISE staff overtime costs for student supervision.
Q: Who determines whether or not a student is
returned to the home district?
A: We hope the decision is mutual on the part of
both the home school district and RISE. However, as with all placements, the
right of acceptance or denial rests with the Executive Director of South Cook
ISC 4.
Q: What happens if
the student is not recommended to return to the home district
after serving the time determined in the IOEP?
A: The home district will
be involved in the decision whether or not the student would remain in the
program. If the RISE staff determines that the student has not made adequate
progress for return, and the home district chooses to have the student return,
the decision rests in the hands of the home district, since they are
responsible for paying tuition costs.
Q: Can parents
or private schools recommend students to the program?
A: No. Recommendations
for placement are only accepted from superintendents and/or their designees of
districts found within the territory of South Cook ISC 4.
Q: How does the student attain
credits for graduation?
A: The home district must
accept all credits earned in the RISE program. This means that high schools
must find ways to “fit” RISE credits into their home school system. Should
students earn enough credits to graduate, they would receive a diploma from
their home school district. Report cards and transcripts are sent from RISE to
the home school district for maintaining in the student’s records.
|
|
