To qualify for services from STAR, the students must identify themselves as having a disability, request services, and provide documentation such as special education records, which include recent psychological testing results and/or a physician's statement with a diagnosis, prognosis, and recommendation for accommodation. Student accommodations are based on:
- The student's educational needs.
- The intake interview.
- And by the documentation the student provides.
The following are descriptions of the type of documentation needed to receive accommodations through STAR:
Documentation Forms
Documentation forms are available where applicable. Once documentation has been completed you may schedule an Intake Appointment by calling Karen at 815-280-2230.
Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder
The applicant must provide a recent medical evaluation by a qualified physician.
The report must state:
- The diagnosis, with the DSM-IV criteria
- The impact the disability has on academic performance
- Recommended accommodations pertinent to the testing results
- Information relating to prescribed medication, including information on side effects and the impact of medication changes.
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LEARNING DISABILITIES, COGNITIVE OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
The applicant must provide documentation completed by a qualified professional which states the diagnosis, the impact the disability has on academic performance, and the recommended accommodations pertinent to the testing results. This information can be contained in either a psychological report or in the Summary of Performance issued by the high school.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED:
Aptitude
A complete aptitude assessment including all percentiles, subtest and standard scores is required. The preferred adult aptitude test is the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III). Aptitude tests administered throughout grade school and high school are accepted.
Individual Achievement
Testing must include percentiles, standard, and subtest scores for all subject areas assessed. The achievement test should be no older than 4 years, or to have been administered using an adult test/measurement. Examples of individualized achievement tests would include the following: WIAT, Woodcock Johnson, Kaufman, or the Peabody. Reporting should include percentiles and grade levels for reading, writing, and math in addition to standard scores. Test dates must be included.
Information Processing
Measures should assess areas such as short- and long-term memory, sequential memory, auditory and visual perception, and processing speed.
If a student has received special education services through his or her local school district, the most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Multidisciplinary Conference Summary (MDC) must also be provided.
If Learning Disability documentation DOES NOT meet these requirements, the student should seek further testing from a licensed individual such as a clinical psychologist or diagnostician if accommodations are going to be requested from the Joliet Junior College StAR Program. One possible source of testing is Moraine Community College.
See information below:
Moraine Valley Community College: (708) 074-5711
Address:
Center for Disability Services
Rm L150
109000 South 88th Avenue
Palos Hills, IL 60465
Description:
A complete diagnostic evaluation is available. There is an application process including an interview that needs to be completed before the evaluation. Payment is due before the services. In-district and out-of-district costs.
Cost:
$200.00
Out-of-district
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Hearing Impairment
The applicant must provide diagnostic results from a full hearing test performed by a qualified professional. Documentation must also address the following:
- Relevant medical history, including date of hearing loss.
- Specific diagnosis and recent audiogram.
- Description of functional limitation (with and without any hearing aids or other assistive devices or treatments).
- Specific recommendation for accommodation(s) and accompanying rationale.
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Physical or Medical Disabilities
The student must provide a copy of the following information as it applies to the disability on the letterhead of the individual's health care provider with that provider's signature or on the STAR form with the providers' signature.
The report must include:
- Diagnosis and original diagnosis date
- Etiology/cause
- Impact or limitation
- Medications
- Side effects of medication
- Suggestions or recommendation for accommodations
- Any additional information that would assist STAR is helping the student
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Visual Impairment
The applicant must provide a copy of the complete ocular examination from an optometrist or ophthalmologist that includes:
- Diagnosis and original diagnosis date.
- Etiology/cause
- Impact or limitation (including acuity scores).
- Visual acuity with and without correction.
- Status of corrective lenses (glasses and/or contact lenses and any other devices).
- Medications and side effects of medication
- Suggestions or recommendations for accommodations.
- Any additional information that would assist STAR in helping the student.
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Other Physical Disorders
The applicant must provide diagnostic results from an appropriate medical examination that documents the relevant medical history, provides a description of functional limitation, and states a specific recommendation for accommodation(s) and accompanying rationale.
Each request for accommodation is evaluated on a case by case basis using the information described above.
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