special education

Social workers at Rockford Public Schools say they feel unsupported…and that RPS has failed students, leaving over 100 without social work services this fall. WNIJ’s Peter Medlin reports…

The public school system provides a lot of services for students with developmental disabilities. What happens once they age out?

Speech therapists, also known as Speech-Language Pathologists, or SLPs for short, are facing major challenges, like stagnant pay and sky-high caseloads. It’s making many consider leaving the field. In a 2-part story, WNIJ’s Peter Medlin has more on the problems...and how it hurts their patients.

Across the country, including in Illinois, certain teaching positions have become harder and harder to staff. WNIJ’s Peter Medlin has more on a shortage that often feels invisible…vision teachers.

¿Qué es un Plan de Educación Individualizada? ¿Qué lo diferencia con un plan 504? ¿Cómo lo consigo? WNIJ les tiene una guía para ayudar con cada parte.

What is an Individualized Education Plan? How is it different than a 504 plan? How do I get one? WNIJ has a guide to help break it all down for you.

on a new Teachers’ Lounge podcast -- Jill teaches deaf students and is a sign language interpreter for swimming meets, dog obedience, and karate classes! Hear how Jill supports her hard of hearing students.

On a new Teachers’ Lounge, Eugene’s journey to become a teacher was not an easy one. Hear a special education teacher’s story from growing up in poverty in the Philippines to advocating for his students in Illinois.

“We're using some work technology, some different technology that we didn't use before, like the interactive screens. I put more music and my circle time activities, stuff like that," said educator Tracy King. "But really, the biggest difference is the time that everything takes to try to keep everyone safe and everything clean and everything."

Thousands of Illinois students with disabilities have to learn in a classroom without a special education teacher or with an educator who doesn’t have the right teaching license.