Section 411.165  Educational Services

a)         The facility shall establish a written plan governing the facility's 12-month full time (as defined by the Illinois State Board of Education) academic, vocational education, and work training programs for children and youth residing in the secure care facility, including program accreditation, staff certification, coordination with other facility programs and services, and planning for continuing care and release to a less restrictive educational setting.

b)         There shall be a comprehensive individual program for each child or youth based on his or her need that may include, but is not limited to: developmental education; remedial education; special education; multi-cultural education; bilingual education; and, when the child's or youth's profile indicates, an adaptive physical education and tutorial service.

1)         The facility program shall ensure that:

A)        Each child or youth is evaluated, staffed, and placed in an appropriate grade and program with an individualized educational plan; and

B)        There is periodic evaluation of each child's or youth's progress and needs. The facility shall ensure that each child or youth has available to him or her the necessary school supplies, textbooks, materials, and equipment to support the learning tasks.

2)         Each child or youth may participate in an approved program of cooperative work training and life skills development.  Such programs may include household tasks and facility cleaning and maintenance appropriate to the child's or youth's age and skill level.  No child or youth shall be permitted to do tasks that are hazardous or dangerous or that risk harm to the child or youth.  All work shall be under continuous staff supervision.

            The program plan shall include a description of the approved program of cooperative work training and life skills development. The secure child care facility shall hire and maintain sufficient staff to perform household, cleaning and maintenance tasks.  The facility may not order work to be performed by children or youth in lieu of hiring or replacing staff.

3)         These programs shall comply with applicable federal and State laws and with the requirements and standards established by the Illinois State Board of Education. The operation of the school shall be by a public or private Board of Education that conducts a system of schools at the elementary or secondary grade level or both. Children and youth shall receive academic and vocational credits for educational achievement that can be transferred to schools in the community and diplomas shall be awarded by the school system having jurisdiction.

4)         Teachers employed in the facility's educational programs that offer academic credit shall meet the requirements of the Illinois State Board of Education, including appropriate certification.

5)         Vocational supervisors, tutorial instructors, school psychologists, social workers, school nurses, aides, librarians, and administrators shall have licensure or State certification appropriate to the grade level served, the educational status of the children or youth, and the curriculum.