NEWS Public forums on special education to be held
For Release October 1, 2001	Further Information: 217/782-4648

The Illinois State Board of Education and other agencies will conduct a series of public forums on special education the week of October 15. The purpose of these forums is to discuss the provision of early intervention and special education services for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Each meeting will begin with a presentation on the purpose of the forums and their role in the monitoring of Illinois by the U.S. Department of Education.  After this presentation, the attendees will divide into two groups, Part B (for services to children and youth ages 3 to 21) and Part C (for infants and toddlers, birth to age 3) to discuss issues further.  

"These forums will provide us with important information that will help us make sure we're delivering the best special education services possible," said State Superintendent Glenn W. "Max" McGee. "I encourage everyone with an interest in this area to attend," he said.

Any individual who needs accommodations for a disability to participate in the meeting (i.e. interpretive services, assistive learning devices, materials in alternate formats) should notify the Illinois State Board of Education at 217/782-5589 or 312/814-5560 or the Department of Human Services at 217/782-1981 by October 9, 2001.  The meeting sites are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Please note that pre-registration is not required.  For further information, please call Sue Bever at 312/815-5560, Marcia Kelley at 217/782-5589 or Louella Downey at 217/782-1981.

The meeting schedule: