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Essential Elements (E.E.)

Our EE (Essential Elements) Program is designed to provide a nurturing, structured, and individualized educational environment for students with moderate to severe intellectual impairments. This special education classroom is rooted in a belief that every student can succeed with the right support. The program focuses on building functional academic and life skills.

Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized instruction, and a team of dedicated professionals, including a special education teacher, related service providers, and support staff who collaborate to meet each child’s unique needs. Our modified curriculum aligns with state standards, which are the Essential Elements of the Common Core Standards throughout the school day.  Special Education teams hold IEP meetings with families to review academic skills, functional skills, life skills, and behavioral data to determine appropriate supports for each individual student.  

Information to know:

  • Each student has Individualized access to a modified academic curriculum.
  • Majority of students are assessed through alternative state testing, Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
  • The program focuses on achieving independent functional life skills.
  • Alternative communication is individualized to meet student needs. 
  • Students practice generalizing skills through Community-Based Instruction (CBI).
  • Transition support provided to MS/HS students to increase work readiness.
  • Students typically receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of their educational experience
  • Focused on meaningful opportunities for inclusion
  • Strong family communication provided by teachers
  • Team approach (School Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Vision Itinerant, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Hearing Itinerant, School Psychologist, Bilingual Specialist, School Nurse, Special Education Teachers, and Paraprofessionals).

We are proud to offer a safe, inclusive space where students are understood, supported, and celebrated for their progress, no matter where their starting point may be. 

This program is housed at Lincoln Elementary, Central Middle School, South Middle School, Belvidere High School and Belvidere North High School