Parents: We want to support your journey.
Links below include documents from MPSED and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). We understand the significance of parent rights, so we have included information on PUNS (Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services) and ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience). Additionally, we offer comprehensive materials to help you navigate the world of special education in Illinois, such as “Understanding Special Education in Illinois” and the MPSED Behavioral Intervention Guidelines.
2022-2023 PUNS
PUNS is a statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are planning for or seeking services. The State uses the data to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs. Read this document to learn more.
Questions? Reach out to Kathy Horath, MPSED Director.
Email: KRHorath@dps61.org, Phone: (217) 362-3055, or physical mail:
Kathy Horath, C/O Macon-Piatt Special Education
620 E. Garfield Ave, Decatur, IL 62526
2023-2024 IL-ABLE
Whether your child is in kindergarten or transitioning to adult services, you can start saving now to build them a more secure future with an IL ABLE Account. An IL ABLE Account is a low-cost, tax-free way for eligible people with disabilities and their families to save and invest money to pay for expenses related to living with a disability. Read this document to learn more.
A Parent's Guide - Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) offers A Parent Guide: Educational Rights and Responsibilities – Understanding Special Education in Illinois in PDF form. This document is for parents, teachers, administrators, and others to learn about the educational rights of children who receive special education and related services due to disabilities that affect their ability to achieve academically.
The Parent Guide – English (01/2026)
The Parent Guide – Spanish (01/2026)
Updated IEP Information
The following document is an IEP fact sheet update for 2026.
IEP Facilitation Fact Sheet
IEP Facilitation Fact Sheet (Spanish)
BIG – Behavioral Intervention Guidelines
The Macon-Piatt Special Education District has developed Behavioral Intervention Guidelines. These initial procedures were developed after review and consideration of the Behavioral Intervention in Schools: Guidelines for Development of District Policies for Students with Disabilities promulgated by the Illinois State Board of Education, which promotes the use of positive interventions. Read this document to learn more.
PUNS Referrals
The Macon-Piatt Special Education District understands the importance of a smooth PUNS Referral process and has developed the following resource to assist you. This document is specifically tailored for residents of Christian, Logan, Sangamon, DeWitt, Macon, Piatt, and Shelby Counties.
Questions? Reach out to Kathy Horath, MPSED Director.
Email: KRHorath@dps61.org, Phone: (217) 362-3055, or physical mail:
Kathy Horath, C/O Macon-Piatt Special Education
620 E. Garfield Ave, Decatur, IL 62526
School-To-Work Transition Guide
This guide was created by the Illinois Transition Study Group which is a collaboration of Illinois Center for Transition and Work, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and Illinois Department of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS/DRS) as well as representation from multiple school districts.
