Dupage Policy Journal

At the March 22 Fenton High School District 100 Board of Education meeting, board members welcomed Richard Watts, the district's director of special education, to give an overview and summary of the special education program. 

Still new to the district, Watts opened by saying how impressed he was with the special education program and inclusion in the district.

"I have over 20 years of experience with special education students and over eight years of experience working as an administrator in that role," Watts said. "I am immensely proud of our whole team here at Fenton. From the moment I walked in, it was obvious that we put students first and every day after that's incredible. There are other districts that don't do that. So that is a fantastic tribute to Fenton and everyone here and all the families, community members and teachers and students."

According to Watts, the state average for special education students is about 17%, and Fenton has around 13% of their students in special education programs, an increase from the past few years. Of those in the district currently in special education, the majority (53%) have a specific learning ability. Others in the program have emotional disabilities (15%), autism (10%), intellectual disabilities (9%), or other disabilities.

Watts also explained that every student in the special education program has their own Individual Education Plan (IEP) outlining specific goals for academic success, post secondary education, post secondary employment, independent living abilities, and life skills. These IEP’s are outlines for their curriculum throughout Fenton so that teachers can help them make decisions to help them achieve those goals and be able to thrive after graduation. These plans also help the special education team – which consists of teachers, therapists, psychologists, social workers, speech and hearing specialists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists – best attend to students.

Watts continued by covering some of the highlights of the department including its partnership with a life skills program through North DuPage Special Education Cooperative. Lincoln Academy and Transition Learning Center are two other facilities that help students transition to an independent life. They can help students attain job skills and experience, and learn how to maintain their own homes and schedules independently. The district also seeks opportunities to integrate special education students into the general population such as the Special Olympics team, Bison Buddies, Link Crew, and adaptive PE.