December 2019
Dear Educators, WELCOME to our first DCE Special Education News newsletter of the 2019-2020 school year! We are so excited to share important IEP tips, district Special Education news, recent legal updates, and fun, hopefully inspiring videos in our newsletters this year. We will begin by sending the newsletter every two months, however, once we get good at it, the goal is to send it monthly! Wish us luck! As we approach December, we can’t help but think of how incredibly fast this school year is going. In our work supporting students and families, remember to keep the lines of communication open with colleagues, with families, and with students. We need each other, now more than ever. The children and families we serve bring diversity to our classrooms and learning environments, both in strengths and in unique, challenging needs. We are so very lucky at DCE to work with people who bring a variety of experiences, knowledge and skills to our schools everyday. Don’t be afraid to tap into the experts among us! If you need anything, remember, we are a phone call, email, or short drive away! Jennifer and Julie
DCE Special Education News — December 2019
OASYS TIP
IN THE NEWS
Staff Responsible for Service
Unified Pals is a group of D.C. Everest students with and without disabilities, who come together for recreational opportunities. There is a program currently running at the senior high, junior high and three elementary schools. The first event of the year was held on October 16 at the Greenheck Field House. It was a great day to #playunified at D.C. Everest Schools, as we hosted a Unified TOPPSoccer event for K-12 students! Almost 300 students, peer helpers and adults participated in the event. Wausau West students and peer helpers also attended. They were all proud to show that they’re part of the #InclusionRevolution. #WisconsinUnified
I-4LF Program Summary Tab
There is an option to select the staff member responsible for a service. (This will not print on the form.) It is important to enter a staff name as its function is to create your caseload. Please review the staff responsible for goals in Sections B and C of the Program Summary. Make additions/updates as needed. You do not need to enter a staff member for transportation.
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Unified Pals
DCE Special Education News — December 2019
RECENT LEGAL UPDATE
During our recent Categorical meetings we have had conversations about baseline, level of attainment and assessment measures. The following legal update shares why it is important to indicate only ONE measure to determine if a student meets his/her goal. Please take some time to read the Complaint Decision. If you have questions, please reach out to your school psych, Rachael, Julie or Jen.
“In this complaint, one of the issues was whether or not the district properly developed the student’s IEP regarding measurable annual goals. For the reading goal, the district listed two benchmark scores (fall and winter) as the level of attainment, along with classroom data. At the annual review of the IEP team, the team determined that the student met the fall but not the winter benchmark scores. The IEP team also looked at classroom data and decided the student met the goal. It concluded the IEP team incorrectly determined the
student met the goals when the student did not score at or above each of the specified levels of attainment for the particular goals. In other words, if the IEP team lists multiple measures as the level of attainment for an IEP goal, the student must meet each of the measures listed in order for the goal to be considered met. I would encourage you to read the entire complaint decision which can be found at IDEA Complaint Decision 18-058” (https://dpi.wi.gov/sped/ideacomplaint-decision-18-058)
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DCE Special Education News — December 2019
JEN’S CLIPS SAVE THE DATES Please Add These Dates to Your Calendar!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMEndIHk5S4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJZHCR-aVXo
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Dec 2-3 Nan & Lisa In-District Dec 3-4 Anne Beninghof In-District Dec 19 Special Education and Student Services Holiday Social - See invite below Jan 14 & 16 CPI Initial Training Jan 28 CPI Refresher Training Feb 4 CPI Refresher Training Mar 10 CPI Refresher Training Feb 20-21 Nan & Lisa In-District April 21-22 Anne Beninghof In-District April 23-24 Nan & Lisa In-District