Category Archives: Special Education

History of the Shriners


History of the Shriners Shriners International is, at its most basic level, a fraternity. It all started in Manhattan in 1870 when some members of what’s considered the world’s oldest fraternity – Masonry – were hanging out at their favorite … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Finance, masonic lodge, master mason, politics, schillerparkblog, shriner, Special Education, Sports Scholarships | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Political Thought For 2018


“The only way we will see a change for the better of this country is if both political sides are able to focus on the core values.” Thus far with social media platforms abounding, the political sides are promoting “sound … Continue reading

Posted in Chicago, Economy, Education, Elections, Illinois, London, Muslim, News, political satire, politics, Rauner, Religion, Social Media, Special Education, Sports, Union | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

My 2018 Predictions For The World As I See It:


I join the legion of prognosticators who offer guesses and visions about what will happen in 2018. Once again,……………. All predictions guaranteed, or your money back. Of the baker’s dozen below, one or two are tongue-in-cheek. I leave it to … Continue reading

Posted in Chicago, Crime, Economic Development, Economy, Education, Elections, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, Entertainment, Finance, foia, Food, Franklin Park, gambling, gangs, Harwood Heights, Health, Horse Racing, Illinois, legal services, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Mayor Caiafa, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northern Illinois University, Northlake, O'Hare Noise, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, politics, Rauner, Religion, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, schiller park police, Schiller Park Recreation, Schiller Park School District 81, schillerparkblog, Sexton Company, Sexton Landfill, Social Media, Special Education, Sports, Sports Scholarships, Taxation, Terrorists, Transportation, Union, Union Ridge SD86, War on Terror, Weather, West Leyden | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What It Really Means To Be A Leader


A little food for thought… A group of wolves: The three in front are old & sick, they walk in front to set the pace of the running group lest they get left behind. The next five are the strongest … Continue reading

Posted in #leydenpride, Autism, Disability Employment Month, Economic Development, Economy, Education, Employing Disabled, Finance, Food, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Health, IEP, Illinois, Illinois Pensions, LASEC, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, minimum wage, murder, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northern Illinois University, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, politics, Project Renewal, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park Commentaries, Schiller Park School District 81, Social Media, Special Education, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden | Tagged | Leave a comment

Rosemont SD78 Opposes Norridge SD80 Withdrawl From Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC)


At last night’s Rosemont School District 78, the Board had placed on their agenda (see link  http://www.rosemont78.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5988a8c8ca5a6/12-11-17publicboardagenda.pdf    )   an action item  that the Rosemont School Board  voted on whether to approve the Resolution of School District 80’s request … Continue reading

Posted in Autism, East Leyden, Education, Elmwood Park School District 401, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Illinois, LASEC, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park Commentaries, Schiller Park School District 81, schillerparkblog, Social Media, Special Education, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Mannheim School District 83 Hired Consultants to Review LASEC’s (Leyden Special Education CoOp) Operation of Enger School In The Fall of 2016; So Why Fail to Disclose a Taxpayer Paid Report to the Public ?


    Mannheim School District 83 retained the services of TJ Consultants in the Fall of 2016 to review the programing and instructional strategies at Enger School. This report that was issued in the Spring of 2017 can be found … Continue reading

Posted in Autism, Chicago, East Leyden, Economic Development, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, Franklin Park, IEP, LASEC, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, politics, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park School District 81, schillerparkblog, Social Media, Special Education, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC) Reinvent Themselves ? Or Is It Best That the CoOp Be Disbanded ?


On February 7, 2017, I wrote a blog article Is Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC) Obsolete ?  Should Norwood Park Grammar Schools Withdraw From LASEC and Consolidate Special Education Services ? questioning whether LASEC was obsolete and whether Norwood Park … Continue reading

Posted in #leydenpride, Autism, East Leyden, Education, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, Franklin Park, gambling, Harwood Heights, IEP, Illinois, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Pennoyer School District 79, political satire, Rosemont School District 78, Schiller Park, Schiller Park School District 81, Special Education, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is the Future of the Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC) ?l


LASEC filled a unique community need in Leyden and Norwood Park Townships over the last 50 years by working with teachers, school leaders, and member school districts to improve educational and support services for students with disabilities,  including the following … Continue reading

Posted in #leydenpride, Autism, Chicago, East Leyden, Education, Elmwood Park School District 401, Employing Disabled, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, IEP, Illinoi, Illinois, LASEC, Leyden, Leyden Area Special Education CoOp, Mannheim School District 83, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northlake, Pennoyer School District 79, politics, Rosemont School District 78, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park School District 81, schillerparkblog, Social Media, Special Education, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

In a recent guidance letter, the federal Office of Special Education Programs (“OSEP”) explained that a local educational agency (“LEA”) may not condition holding an IEP meeting on a parent’s attorney not participating or on the parent providing prior notice of its intent to invite the attorney. Letter to Andel, 116 LRP 8548 (February 17, 2016). In Letter to Andel, OSEP reiterated its longstanding position that the attendance of attorneys at IEP meetings “should be strongly discouraged” due to the potential for creating an adversarial atmosphere. Despite this position, OSEP pointed out that IDEA’s implementing regulations permit a parent or an LEA to invite to the IEP meeting individuals with special expertise regarding the child. However, while the regulations require the LEA to notify the parent in advance regarding who will attend an IEP meeting, there is no corresponding obligation on the part of the parent. OSEP stated that in the “spirit of cooperation,” the parent should inform the LEA ahead of time if he/she intends to bring an attorney. Often times, attorneys, as a matter of professional courtesy, will notify the LEA or its attorney if they intend on participating in an IEP meeting. However, there is nothing in the IDEA or its implementing regulations that would permit an LEA to conduct an IEP meeting on the condition that the parent’s attorney not participate. Therefore, when a parent unexpectedly brings his/her attorney to an IEP meeting, OSEP explained that it would be permissible for an LEA to reschedule the meeting to another date and time so that it could include its own attorney under the following circumstances: (1) the parent agrees to reschedule, and (2) the postponement does not result in a delay or denial of FAPE to the child.


Posted in IEP, Special Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Can Illinois Governor Rauner Be Re-Elected ?


Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner lost an unprecedented battle with the “Springfield insiders” he once campaigned to dethrone when lawmakers approved a budget deal and $5 billion tax hike over his objections, and without the pro-business reforms the Republican promised for … Continue reading

Posted in Chicago, Crime, Economic Development, Economy, Education, Elections, Employing Disabled, Finance, foia, Franklin Park, Harwood Heights, Illinois, Illinois Pensions, Leyden, Mayor Caiafa, Norridge, Norridge School D80, Northern Illinois University, Northlake, O'Hare Noise, Pennoyer School District 79, politics, Rauner, Roy F. McCampbell, Schiller Park, Schiller Park School District 81, Social Media, Special Education, Taxation, Union Ridge SD86, West Leyden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment