You are here

The Special Education Team

Welcome to the Special Education Team!

Especially for Families

question mark in a thought bubble

What is a disability?

Some children have unique learning needs that require specially designed instruction.

life preserver

How can we get help?

If you suspect your child has a disability, you can make a referral to the local school district.

adult and child holding hands

Are there resources?

There are many agencies, organizations, and educational resources to help families.

pillared building

What are our rights?

Children with disabilities and their parents have certain rights under IDEA.

Especially for Educators

computer monitor with magnifying glass

Compliance / Data

Maintaining compliance with IDEA. Using data to make decisions and evaluate results.

4 boxes, a handicap symbol, 2 hands signing ASL, a brain, and a visually impaired person with a cane

Disability Categories

Wisconsin has criteria for 12 disability categories.

a hollow circle composed of 4 different puzzle pieces

Systemic Improvement

Coordinated improvement processes based on implementation science.

piggy bank

Fiscal Resources

Budgeting technical assistance to address identified needs and improve outcomes.

Team Mission:

Provide leadership to improve outcomes and ensure a free appropriate public education for students protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
 

Team Beliefs:

  • We believe that supporting a culture of high expectations to promote excellence for all students is best achieved through intentional partnerships.
  • We believe educational decisions are made with and by students and their families, supporting students to become experts in their own learning and active participants in determining their future.
  • We believe all educational environments should be accessible, inclusive and equitable to achieve social justice.
  • We believe that everyone brings valuable perspectives that deserve representation when developing and implementing policies and best practices.

Collective Commitments: 

We commit to...
  • The intentional use of an equity lens while making policy decisions, recommendations, and determining work priorities
  • Providing excellent customer service through using a trauma informed care lens if applicable, while empathizing and humanizing families’ experiences navigating the special education systems
  • Partnering with stakeholders in an authentic way to ensure lived experience is evident in all we do
  • Providing timely, accurate information
  • Maximizing human and financial resources to promote equity, high expectations, and positive outcomes for students with IEPs
  • Questioning the status quo to bring underlying assumptions to the surface
  • Embracing flexibility rather than protecting silos
  • Collaborating and networking with intention
  • Using asset-based language as evidenced by highlighting successes as well as gaps to illustrate positive student outcomes
  • Promoting and modeling socially valued roles across all teachers, families, and educators
  • Supporting our teammates