IEP Document

The IEP contains the information discussed by the IEP Team. It includes information about the student, including strengths, areas of needed skill building, special factors, goals for the year, services to help achieve the goals, information about accommodations on state/districtwide assessments, and possibly behavior support information.

IEP Document

STRENGTHS

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Current Academic Achievement -
Identify the student's current levels of academic achievement in reading, math, written language as compared to grade level standards and typical peer performance. Include reading achievement for all students. For preschool children, describe the child's acquisition and use of knowledge and skills (including early language/communication and early literacy). This is where you should be able to find baseline academic information for the student. This baseline information helps identify the needs of the student and then helps determine annual goals.

FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE

Current Functional Performance (includes the following):

Activities and skills not considered academic or directly related to a child’s academic achievement. Academic achievement generally refers to a child’s performance in academic content areas (e.g., reading or language arts, math, science, history).
Routine activities of daily living.
Skills needed for independence and performance at school, in the home, in the community, for leisure time, and for post-secondary and life-long learning.
Motor skills, personal care, time and money, school/work habits, home/community orientation.
Behavior and interpersonal relationships.

SPECIAL FACTORS

Special Factors must be considered when developing the individualized education program. Consider the special factors when identifying the effects of disability, summarizing disability related needs, developing goals, and determining services in the Program Summary. For example, if a student’s behavior impedes learning, the positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports could include specially designed instruction, related services, supplementary aids and services and/or program modifications and supports for staff. The behavioral needs of the student may be determined through a functional behavioral assessment (FBA).

Factors to Consider

Behavior - does behavior impede learning?
Language - is the student an English Language Learner?
Vision - is the child blind or visually impaired?
Communication - does the student have communication needs that impede learning?
Assistive Technology - does the student need assistive tech to help with their learning?

CONCERNS OF THE PARENTS/FAMILY & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Concerns of the Parents/Family

Describe the concerns of the parents/family for enhancing the education of the student. This may include concerns about reading achievement, early language/communication or early literacy skills, other academic areas, social-emotional needs, sensory needs, behavior, & postsecondary transition.

Family Engagement -

Research shows engaging families in a child's education helps to improve student outcomes. Note how communication between school and family is preferred.

EFFECTS OF THE DISABILITY

Describe HOW the student’s disability affects his or her access, involvement and progress in the general education curriculum, including how the disability affects reading. For preschool children, describe how the disability affects participation in age-appropriate activities, including language development, communication and/or literacy.

The statement of present level of academic achievement and functional performance includes a description of HOW the student’s disability affects the student’s involvement in the general education curriculum and progress toward grade level reading standards, or for preschool children, participation in age appropriate activities and progress toward early literacy standards.

Sample statement: The student (give actual observations here, not just difficulty with)…. because…. (state root cause analysis 5 why’s).

This field is intended to get at HOW does x disability affect this particular student in the general education curriculum. Since disabilities affect students differently, it is important to understand how the student's disability impacts them specifically in general education curriculum. This also lends information to the next section which is "why" does this impact occur. Once we can think of "why " this is impacting the student in a certain way, we can design goals to address the need.

DISABILITY RELATED NEEDS

Transitioning from Effects to Needs... a few questions to ask:
1)Why is the student performing at, above, or below grade level expectations?
2)Why is the student having difficulty participating in grade level activities and environments?
3)Does the student have difficulty in all areas/activities/environments?
If not, what is different about the subjects, classes, activities, in which the student has difficulty vs those in which the student
is able to meet expectations? Are there strengths that may be used to improve access and participation

Disability Related Need = "WHY" is the disability impacting progress in this way.
ex. student needs to build skills in math calculation
ex. student needs to build skills in reading - decoding and fluency

ANNUAL GOALS

Meaningful and Measurable Goals
Meaningful Goals answer the question "Of all the things I could pick to teach this student... why this?"

Annual goals

This part of the IEP describes the student's academic and functional goals for the year. The statements should identify the knowledge, skills, or behaviors that the student should be able to demonstrate within a year. Goals are created using baseline performance data as stated in their present level of performance and be clearly measurable so that it is clear if the student does or does not achieve that goal. See more information about goals from the National Association of Special Education Teachers. The DPI Measurable Annual IEP Goals: Self Check helps teams determine if their annual goals are measurable.

Benchmarks/ short-term objectives

Benchmarks are required by law for students who take an alternate assessment aligned to alternate achievement standards. Benchmarks can be created for all students, but must be completed for any student participating in alternate curriculum and taking alternate statewide or districtwide assessments. Benchmarks break the skills described in the annual goal into discrete measurable intermediate steps.

In MMSD, when a goal includes benchmarks, the goal statement must still contain a baseline and measurable level of attainment. Benchmarks must also contain a baseline and measurable level of attainment. DPI recognizes rare occasions when that is not required. See the DPI Forms Guide for more information on the requirements under those circumstances. Due to the rarity of those situations, the district recommends that all goal statements and benchmarks include a baseline and measurable level of attainment.

Reporting Goal Progress

In MMSD, parents and guardians must be informed at least quarterly about the progress their student is making toward achieving annual goals. They may be informed more frequently, but it is expected that staff report progress quarterly and at the end of the IEP to determine of the goal was met or not met. When benchmarks or short-term objectives are included in the annual goal, all benchmarks or short-term objectives must be attained in order for the goal to be considered met (DPI Forms Guide)

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Our goal in MMSD is to ensure all students with disabilities receive their federally guaranteed free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment, thus promoting inclusive schooling.

Student services advances a diverse, expansive continuum of services and placements essential for both IDEA adherence, and for realizing inclusive schooling. MMSD also offers an array of services to students with disabilities attending private and parochial schools. Special education services are provided in all of our schools so that students may receive the services they need in their home schools. Once a student is evaluated, and determined to have a disability & require special education, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed that describes what services the student will require.

Services May Include

Assistive Technology

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.
- Federal Definition

Do you want to learn more about assistive technology?

Common AT Terminology
Understanding Assistive Technology Basics - AT 101
Center on Technology and Disability
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Wisconsin AAC Network
MMSD's Instructional Technology Resources for general instructional technology resources

AT Consult Request Form 2023-2024 2023 - 24 AT Short-Term Trial Request AT Assignment Request Form

For more information about AT in MMSD, please contact:

Jan Chynoweth, Assistant Director of Student Services, AT Coordinator
Jessie Koehler, Program Support Teacher for Assistive Technology, abcliff@madison.k12.wi.us
General Inquiry or AT Questions? assistivetech@madison.k12.wi.us

Case Management

Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Madison Metropolitan School District who meet criteria for Hearing Impairment established in PI 11.36 in the Wisconsin Administrative Code may receive services of a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing directly at a center-based program or indirectly in their home school from an itinerant teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Henderson Elementary, Sennett Middle, and LaFollette High are the Center-based schools in the MMSD. These were established in the mid 1970’s so the staff and students at these schools are familiar with interpreters in the classroom and using sign language.

Center-based schools provide opportunities for:

Direct communication in a variety of settings, with and instruction by teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing who sign.
Learning community of students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing that provide communication and interaction with peers that use sign language.
Educational sign language interpreters support communication access in academic, non-academic, and extracurricular environments.
Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and reside outside of the attendance areas of Henderson, Sennett, or LaFollette may be placed at these schools through the IEP process to address specific needs in the areas of: communication accessibility, language acquisition, participation, social-emotional development, and academic achievement.

Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing may attend their neighborhood school. These students will have a building-based case manager and DHH disability-related services through their IEP:

Itinerant teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Speech and language therapist to increase communication skills
Audiologist to repair and perform regular checks on equipment

Employees with the DHH Program at MMSD

5 Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
21 Sign Language Interpreters
1.5 Audiologists

American Sign Language (ASL) Classes offered at LaFollette High School

LaFollette offers American Sign Language as a foreign language up to level 4.
Sennett Middle & Henderson Elementary incorporate signs around the schools, and it is typical for classrooms that have an interpreter in them to teach sign skills to the hearing students.

Contacts

Nancy Molfenter
Asc Superintendent - Student Services
(608) 575-4269

Jennifer Laycock
Program Support Teacher (PST)
(608) 204-2500

Early Childhood Special Education

The Early Childhood Special Education program provides administrative leadership and oversight for all aspects of the District’s Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program, including supervision and evaluation of ECSE staff, Child Find activities, professional development planning for ECSE staff, and the provision of related services. All children deserve a quality childhood so they become joyful, lifelong learners, active contributors to healthy communities, and productive members of society. The goal of the Madison Metropolitan School District Early Childhood Special Education program is to provide comprehensive screening to children ages 3-5, to evaluate children using multiple assessment measures and thus implement quality Special Education services to children who qualify for Special Education in a variety of natural environments, including Preschool Community Childcare Services.

For more information go to the WI DPI website: Early Childhood Special Education

Child Find Screening

Child Find is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, aged birth to 21, who are in need of early intervention or special education services. Child Find is a continuous process of public awareness activities, screening and evaluation designed to locate, identify, and refer as early as possible all young children with disabilities and their families who are in need of an Early Intervention Program (Part C) or Early Childhood Special Education (Part B) services of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA requires all states to have a "comprehensive Child Find system" to assure that all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are located, identified, and referred. For more information go to the WI DPI website: Child Find Screening

Each month, MMSD Program Support Teachers and Speech-Language Clinicians are available to screen children ages 3 to 5 and provide parents with information regarding their child’s developmental progress. An Early Childhood Request for Assistance form must be completed to participate in screening and when making a referral for an initial special education evaluation. The Child Find Information Line (608)663-8471 is available for families if they need assistance in completing the Request for Assistance and when making an immediate referral to evaluate their child for Special Education. To request a Child Find Screening or initiate a Special Education referral for your child submit an Early Childhood Request for Assistance.

Special Education Evaluation

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), states that all local education agencies (LEA) in Wisconsin must provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) to children age 3 to 21 who have a disability. Children are evaluated to determine if they meet Special Education Eligibility. Early Childhood Special education programs operate under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Special education and related service professionals may provide consultation to staff, direct services to the child, training related to the disability, and other services that are identified in the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Early Childhood Regular Education Support Team

The Early Childhood Regular Education support team is designed to provide Early Childhood Care and Education Centers and parents of children ages 3-5 with support, consultation and problem-solving.

The following are three basic types of Requests for Support that would typically be addressed:

Classroom support and consultation: These may be concerns related to a specific classroom or group of children.
Centerwide: Several teachers or classrooms at the center may have a similar need for support and consultation.
Child specific: Staff can request support and consultation about an individual child’s development. A Request for Assistance for a Child Find Screening must be made prior to classroom observations and consultation.

What are some possible outcomes of regular education support?

Universal screening of all children in a community preschool program.
Suggestions of possible interventions to be tried by parents and center staff with an individual child or group of children, and subsequent data collected so the effectiveness of these strategies can be determined.
An in-service presentation or training related to a specific topic that several or most center staff may be interested in may be offered. These may be conducted by MMSD staff or other professionals in the area who are willing to share their expertise with your site.

Questions: Contact Theresa Grueneberg at (608)663-8428 or tgrueneberg@madison.k12.wi.us or the Child Find Information Line at (608)663-8471

Extended School Year (ESY)

Extended School Year (ESY) services are services provided during times when schools are otherwise not in session. ESY services are determined on an individual basis and are necessary for providing FAPE to a child (consider whether student progress made during a school year would be significantly jeopardized if student does not receive ESY during the summer) to prevent regression or to help maintain acquisition of a skill during a critical stage of learning.

Health Services

Occupational and Physical Therapy

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes occupational therapy and physical therapy as related services. Related Services are those necessary to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Federal and state laws govern the provision of school-based occupational therapy and physical therapy.

School-Based vs Community-Based Therapy Services (brochure, pg 1 and pg 2)
DPI Site for School Based Occupational Therapy
DPI Site for School Based Physical Therapy

Staff Contacts

Assistant Director Student Services

Joanne Grassman
Phone: 663-8489
Email: jmgrassman@madison.k12.wi.us

Administrative Assistant

Julie Marca
Phone: 663-8435
Email: jamarca@madison.k12.wi.us

Program Support - OT/PT

Sue Addamo
Phone: 442-2143
Email: saddamo@madison.k12.wi.us

Please see staff directory at your school for OT/PT staff information.

Program Modifications and Supports

Psychological Services

School Social Work

Specially Designed Instruction

Specially designed instruction includes instruction by a special education teacher in any of the core academic areas. Specially designed instruction adapts the content, methodology, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of the student.

For more information on what SDI is and who can provide it, see the newly updated DPI page on Specially Designed Instruction, which includes What is SDI and Who Can Provide it?

Speech & Language

A speech or language impairment, as per PI 11.36 (5)(a) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, means "An impairment of speech or sound production, voice, fluency, or language that significantly affects educational performance or social, emotional, or vocational development." A child is identified as having a speech/language impairment if he/she meets Wisconsin state eligibility criteria in one or more areas of oral communication. Speech/language services are provided to those children who are identified as having both a speech/language impairment and a need for special education. In addition, some children receive speech/language services as a related service if the IEP team determines these services are needed in order for the child to benefit from his/her special education program.

Speech and language services in public schools are provided to children ages 3 - 21. In the Madison Metropolitan School District, Speech/Language Pathologists are assigned to provide services to children in each school building. Students at the Early Childhood level (ages 3-4) are provided services on an itinerant basis, with consideration of the child's natural environment e.g. home, pre-school, child care, HeadStart, and 4K school sites. Itinerant services are also provided to those 18-21 year olds identified as having special education needs.

Program Contacts

Jan Chynoweth, Assistant Director Special Education - jgchynoweth@madison.k12.wi.us
Theresa Grueneberg, Administrative Assistant - tgrueneberg@madison.k12.wi.us
Lisa Kirby-Mangas, Program Support Teacher - lkirbymangas@madison.k12.wi.us
Renee Ritchie, Program Support Teacher - rritchiedenk@madison.k12.wi.us

Helpful Resources

Can't find what you're looking for? Please e-mail and let us know!

Supplementary Aids and Services

Transition Services

Specialized Transportation

Some students with disabilities may receive “specialized transportation” as part of either their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan (504 Plan). In order to be eligible for specialized transportation, an IEP team or 504 team must determine that specialized transportation is a service that is required to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education or is required to provide equal access to the regular education environment.

Students with IEPs may require specialized transportation as a related service if the student is not able to access the same mode of transportation as their peers without disabilities. The standard in MMSD is that the mode of transportation for students with disabilities should be the same as the mode of transportation used by non-disabled peers. MMSD promotes least restrictive environment for transportation as well as educational setting. If a student does require specialized transportation, the following options should be considered in order from least restrictive to most restrictive:

use of city or yellow bus with an attendant
use of specialized van/bus with limited riders
use of specialized van/bus with limited riders and an attendant
solo transportation (if approved)

Resources

Find Your School - Use this link to find your home school. Transportation to a school different than your home school will require approval.

Additional Information regarding students with specialized transportation

For questions

Contact Stacie Will
swill@madison.k12.wi.us

Vision Services

The Vision Department will provide opportunities for children and youth who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities, to develop the skills necessary to lead vocationally, personally, socially satisfying, productive and more independent lives through the use of assistive technology, braille, expanded core curriculum, travel skills, etc. so they are community, career and college ready.

Why do we have a Vision program?

The majority of the information transmitted to the brain is through the visual system. When children experience vision loss, it is more difficult to get the same level of information to the brain. The Madison Metropolitan School District employs a team of vision professionals to evaluate students with vision loss, assess their functional vision and recommend instructional accommodations and additional instruction that may help students access their curriculum and environment.

What does the Vision Department do?

The vision staff teach the Expanded Core Curriculum. The ECC is a disability-specific set of skills that compensates for vision loss and is foundational to all other learning. It focuses on independence, assistive technology, vocational training, social engagement and more to prepare your child for his or her fullest life possible.

How? Range of Programming

Full inclusion in regular education classes with the use of accommodations
Observations and Consult with staff and family
Material production/accommodations (e.g. accessible formats)
Push into classrooms for instruction or support TVI or SEA
Pull out direct instruction one on one or co-treating with other teachers/therapist
Homebound instruction for medically fragile students
WSBVI Placement - Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (K-12) in Janesville, WI
Little Peanuts Specialized Preschool at WCBVI (3-5)

Who are we?

Itinerant Vision Teachers

Leanette Dieck (Office at Memorial High School)--West

Naomi Hrdina (Office at Lincoln Elementary School)--West/South Central

Kelsey Tiradani (Office at LaFollette High School)--East/Downtown

Jana Uhler (Office at LaFollette High School)--East/West

Orientation and Mobility Teacher

Brynn Guzzetta (Office at LaFollette High School)

Braille Transcriber

Traci McDonald (Office at LaFollette High School)

Vision Assistants (SEAs):

Lori Nieman (Itinerant)

Lori McGowen (Itinerant)

For information on vision services within MMSD, please contact:

Joanne Grassman, Assistant Director of Student Services
Chris Jaramillo, DHH and Vision Program Support Teacher

Vision Resources

Local/State Organizations:

OBVI (Office of Blind and Visually Impaired) (trainings, support)
Vision Forward (trainings, education, camps, Braille Games, store, support etc.) (Milwaukee)
Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired - assessments, on site trainings, support groups, store, scholarships etc. (on Williamson St. in Madison)
Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (located in Janesville)
Wisconsin Center for the Blind and VIsually Impaired- rent equipment weekend and summer camps, assessments, & Short Course information (Janesville)
Lion's Camp (summer camp held in Rosholt, WI for youth and adults usually in August)
Access to Independence (provides advocacy, resources, and services to people of all ages and disabilities in Dane, Columbia, Green, and Dodge counties in South Central Wisconsin)

National Organizations:

American Council of the Blind (ACB) and ACB Radio
National Federation of the Blind (large organization with support, events, scholarships, resources, etc.) and News Line (free magazines and newspapers)

Blind and Low Vision Products:

Sharper Vision Store- Madison (e.g. cooking aids, assistive technology, adapted games, sunglasses, free White Canes. Shop located at the WI Council on Williamson St, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Vision Forward Store- Milwaukee (e.g. cooking aids, assistive technology, adapted games, sunglasses)
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) Books, materials, and technology for low vision and blindness
HumanWare (sells blind and low vision technology: braille note takers and portable and stationary electronic magnifiers)
Adaptive Information Systems Inc. (local business that provides assistive technology support and sells devices and software for the blind and visually impaired)
LS&S (specializes in products for the blind, visually impaired, deaf, and hard of hearing, collection of low vision aids, hearing helpers, daily living aids, and information designed to help gain independence)
Microsoft’s Disability Answer Desk (customers with disabilities get support with Microsoft Office and Windows to include product issues, accessibility issues, and assistive technology)
Apple Accessibility Support (Official Apple Support web pages; 800-MY–APPLE 800–692–7753)

Students with Multiple Disabilities:

Students with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI):

Braille Resources:

Free Braille Books
Wisconsin Braille (Free books, where to locate braille materials)
Braille Bug Site (games, info)
Hadley School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Free classes to acquire knowledge and skills)
Perkins School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Education, library, and accessibility resources)
Braille Library and Transcribing Services in Madison
Paths to Literacy Braille

Large Print and Braille:

Deafblind:

Deafblind Paths to Literacy
Helen Keller National Center (online classes, supports, resources, programs etc.)

Parent Resources:

Wonderbaby (Resources for parents)
AFB Family Connect (Parent support and resources)
Paths to Literacy (Research, resources, strategies, activities)
Parent to Parent of Wisconsin - connecting with other families
Questions to Ask Your Child’s Eye Care Specialist
Information about eye conditions and diseases : National Eye Institute
National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Hadley online learning and resources
ABLE Accounts (a tax-advantage savings account available for qualifying persons with disabilities)

Orientation and Mobility Resources:

Vision Evaluation Info:

Eligibility Criteria for Visual Impairment
Ocular Report (Needed to determine eligibility for visual impairment)

Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Resources:

Bookshare (free audio and digital braille books)
Accessible Instructional/Educational Materials (AIM/AEM)
Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) (free audio and braille books, book player, and book reader app)
Learning Ally (audiobooks-paid subscription)

Workplace Resources:

Workforce GPS (Disability and employment)
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Job training, interview practice, job searching
Disability Rights Wisconsin (voting rights)

Parent's consent to bill Medicaid provides millions in additional revenue to school districts by billing Wisconsin Medicaid for medically necessary services provided in school for eligible children.

PARTICIPATION IN GEN ED ENVIRONMENT

School districts must ensure that, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are educated using the general education curriculum in the regular education classroom. Per IDEA, the least restrictive environment is the environment that is individually determined based on the student's unique disability needs, yet provides the greatest access to general education curriculum and environment. See DPI bulletin .04

Describe the extent, if any, to which the student will not participate with non-disabled students in the regular education classroom, or age-appropriate settings in the case of a preschooler, including extracurricular and nonacademic activities: (ENVIRONMENT)
DPI Audit Criteria #20 - The IEP describes the extent, if any, to which the student will not participate with non-disabled students in the regular education environment. This statement must consistently and clearly describe the extent to which the student will not participate in the regular education environment. *make sure any SAS listed above are included here. Specialized Transportation is also a removal from the red ed environment.

PLACEMENT DETERMINATION

IEP Placement is documentation of placement in special education and the notice of the school or physical location of the facility where a student will be receiving the services outlined in the IEP. This location must be clear as to where the student is physically being educated. Parents or guardians must give signed consent to a student's initial placement in special education, and can revoke that consent at any time. A child's placement must be determined at least annually and parents must receive notice of placement (including a copy of their child's IEP) at a reasonable time prior to implementing the IEP. Annual placement in special education must be determined at a meeting, which occurs no more than 12 months later than the previous placement determination.

Ending Placement

Placement in special education ends in one of the following ways:

Student no longer qualifies and returns to general education
Graduation
Ending of Services Due to Age
Parent Revocation of Consent
- Parents requests to revoke special education services must be provided in writing. Upon receipt of the written revocation, the school district must promptly provide prior written notice of when special education and related services will end within a reasonable time before stopping special education and related services.