Special Education

We believe that each student is to be educated in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible with non-disabled peers. The Effingham Unit 40 special education staff strives to ensure all students can learn, and creates an environment for our students that focuses on student growth, both academically and social emotionally.  Effingham’s staff provides instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.  The staff consists of Special Programs Coordinator, Jenny Seachrist, 35 special education teachers, 62 paraprofessionals, 2 ESL paraprofessionals, 7 speech language pathologists, 3 school psychologists, 2.5 social workers, 2 nurse paraprofessionals and 2 nurses throughout 6 buildings. 

Effingham Unit 40 School District strives to provide a full continuum of educational services based on each student's educational needs. The programs range from speech services only, push in/pull out special education services, to self-contained programs for students with extensive needs.  Effingham is a member of the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education that provides Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Adaptive Physical Education Therapy, Vision, Hearing, Vocational Educational Services and Fresh Start Learning Programs.

Service Area

Effingham Unit 40 also provides Special Education Services for students attending Sacred Heart, St. Anthony Schools, and other private schools in Unit 40 School District. Students with special needs who are being home-schooled are also eligible to receive services.

Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education

Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education (EIASE) leases classrooms for their TLC programs and also East Side School for their Southern Region Treatment and Learning Center. Contract services with EIASE include the following:

Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Adaptive Physical Therapy

Vision

Hearing

Vocational Educational Services

Additional Resources