The District 11 Special Education Department provides special education and related services to all eligible students from the ages of 3 - 21, or until graduation, whichever comes first. This specialized instruction is provided in accordance with both the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Exceptional Children's Education Act (ECEA).

The District 11 Special Education Department has the philosophy that all students are best served when they attend the same schools they would attend if they did not have disabilities. That is, whenever possible, students who are eligible for special education attend their neighborhood schools with their siblings and neighbors. Rather than take students to the services, District 11 strives to take the services to the students.