Educational Services

The Educational Services Department supports students, parents, and staff by overseeing key areas such as student attendance, gifted and grade acceleration programming, student mental health and behavioral support, student discipline systems, and district improvement and professional learning.

The department works to ensure that students receive the necessary resources and support to achieve personal success and individual growth.

Student Attendance

Regular Attendance: Consistent attendance is crucial for academic and social success. Missing 1.5 days per month adds up to a full academic year by graduation. Educational Services works closely with schools to implement best practices to support consistent student attendance. Key components include parent communication, attendance updates, providing interventions, and creating welcoming school environments.

Reporting Absences: Parents must notify the school office before class starts if a child will be absent or late. Call each day of absence before school starts.

Consequences of Absences: Students absent cannot attend or participate in after-school activities that day. More than six absences per trimester may lead to truancy status unless a doctor's note is provided. Avoid scheduling vacations or nonessential absences during school days.

Gifted and Grade Acceleration Programming

Academic Acceleration Options: District 15 offers accelerated math programs and opportunities to skip multiple grade levels or subjects. Students in grades 3 to 5 are automatically screened each year, and no parent referral is necessary.

Academically Talented and Gifted (ATG) Program: For grades 3-5, the ATG program is for students with exceptional academic, leadership, and cognitive abilities, determined by standardized tests and teacher information. Students in grades 2 and 3 are automatically screened with the MAP test each fall. Top-performing students complete further testing with the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The District accepts parent and teacher referrals for CogAT testing, which must be submitted via an online referral form by November 1. The same referral form and timeline are used by parents to refer a student living in District boundaries but not attending a District 15 school.

Early Entrance and Grade Acceleration Programs: Early entrance and grade acceleration are for children who exhibit advanced cognitive, academic, and social skills significantly above their age peers. These children typically show exceptional abilities in problem-solving, reading, and math, and demonstrate social maturity, independence, and a strong desire to learn. Applications for grade acceleration and early entrance to Kindergarten or first grade must be submitted by May 1. All testing is coordinated by your District 15 school and completed in June or July. Early entrance is required for any child meeting Illinois’ age requirements for Kindergarten (age 5 by September 1) or First Grade (age 6 by September 1) regardless of academic history. For more information, visit the Early Entrance page.

Student Mental Health and Behavioral Support

Support System: District 15 offers social, emotional, and behavioral support across all schools, including:

• Social and emotional screenings and a comprehensive social and emotional learning curriculum
• Positive behavior supports and individualized interventions
• Bully prevention and response
• Restorative and trauma-informed practices
• Tiered interventions

Student Behavior and Discipline

Behavior Policies: Board of Education Policy 7:190, Student Behavior, promotes respect, civility, and orderly conduct. Educational Services supports schools' implementation of this policy by coordinating a comprehensive student support system that includes:

• Social-emotional teaching
• Tiered interventions
• Bully prevention instruction
• Progressive discipline system
• Individualized positive interventions

Policy Accessibility: Detailed policies and procedures for behavior and discipline are available on the District 15 Board of Education webpage.

District Improvement and Professional Learning

Staff Development: Educational Services supports district improvement efforts, administrator and staff training, systematic improvement strategies, data utilization, and coaching for school leaders and improvement teams.

Strategic Planning: Active strategic planning fosters continuous improvement, ensuring responsiveness to students' and the community's evolving needs. For more information, visit the Strategic Plan page.