Important Information Regarding 15 Year Old Elementary School Students and State Assessments

ISBE sent information to everyone last week regarding state assessments for students who are turning 15 years old and we thought that it would be helpful to bring it here too:

The following policy for testing pertains to 105 ILCS 5/14-6.01 of the school code. Fifteen-year-old students with disabilities who are enrolled in an elementary district become accountable to the high school district (according to school code). The high school district becomes financially responsible for the student. The high school district is also responsible for the educational program of the student. The law only pertains to elementary districts that feed into a separate high school district. It does not pertain to unit districts.

In response to questions from school district staff regarding testing accountability, the following must occur for students, who are 15 years old (the student turns 15 on or before April 23, 2019), attend an elementary district, and have an IEP:

• The home school (in SIS enrollment) must be the high school in the high school district.
• The serving school (in SIS enrollment) may remain as the school in the elementary school district, if still applicable.
• The student must be enrolled in grade 9.
• Grade 9 students take the PSAT 8/9 assessment, or the grade 9 DLM-AA assessment, and possibly the science assessment.
• It is recommended that an IEP meeting be called to make these changes.