Special
Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I recognize an emotional/academic problem?
I think my child may need special services, what should I do?
How is it determined what services my child will receive?
What is an IEP?
My child has been diagnosed with problems related to learning by an outside clinic. Who do I need to inform?
Who is available on a day to day basis to help my child?
I am a student in need of help. Can I get it confidentially?
Who will administer my child's medication?
I have a foster child with special needs. What do I do?
How can I recognize an emotional/academic problem?
As a parent, there are several behaviors you may notice.
These include:
•
Extreme difficulty adjusting to school routine and structure
• Frequent need for disciplinary action
• Problems with peer interaction
• Problems with academics
I think my child may need special services, what should I do?
• Begin by communicating with your child’s
school.
Explain what your concerns are. Find out if your child is having difficulties at school. Communicate any information you have received from your family
doctor.
• Request an Individual Education Program (IEP)
Team evaluation, or Collaborative Support Team (CST) or Problem
Solving Team (PST) meeting.
These are resources available within the school to help
determine what course of action to take and what possible
services may be required. You will be asked to provide information about your child
and to participate in meetings with staff. Plan to attend this meeting. Your input is essential.
• Monitor your child’s progress.
Pay attention to patterns at home and in the community, as well as academic progress. Remember, you can request an IEP Team evaluation or IEP review to amend services at
any time.
• Continuously Communicate.
Build relationships with teachers and support staff. Frequent communication is the key to ensuring your child’s
needs are met.
When the family and school work as a team, we can best serve
your child’s needs and enhance their academic development.
How is it determined what services my child will receive?
MPS, with your assistance, determines what services will
be provided by having a CST, PST, or IEP meeting.
Collaborative Support Team (CST) and Problem Solving Team
(PST) meetings can be requested to help deal with less
severe behavioral and academic problems. The CST and PST
meetings generally determine school or classroom strategies
to help your child learn better. These strategies may include
meeting with a school psychologist, social workers, or others
staff members once a week or participation in violence prevention
programs, social skill programs, or other types of supports
available at the school. A CST or PST meeting usually does
not mandate a school or classroom transfer.
Your child’s school may use either CST or PST meetings.
Individualized
Education Program (IEP) meetings are held for students
who someone suspects may have a disability and be in need
special education services. These meetings are attended by support
staff, teachers, administrators and parents. The child may or may not be
present. Once it is determined an IEP team meeting is appropriate,
MPS will conduct evaluation of the student. At the IEP team
meeting, results of the evaluation will be used to determine
if the child has a disability and a need for special education.
If the child qualifies for services, an IEP (individualized plan) is prepared.
What is an IEP?
A: An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is the most important
document used in MPS Special Education Services. This document
lays out what services your child will receive. It details
everything about your child’s education from classroom goals, to the name of the school
your child will attend to transportation services.
The IEP is a living document. It moves with your child from
grade to grade and school to school. The IEP is reviewed
and revised at least annually to ensure the child’s
needs are being met. Every three years, the entire IEP team
will meet to review your child's eligibility and make
any needed changes in the IEP. A parent or teacher can request an IEP
review at any time.
My child has been diagnosed with problems related to learning by an outside clinic. Who do I need to inform?
Legally, the decision to inform MPS of an outside diagnosis
is your choice. Most times it is in the child’s best
interest to inform their school of the issue. The first
person to inform is the child’s teacher or the school’s
building coordinator. They will help you to determine the
next step. When the family and school work as a team, we
can best serve your child’s needs and enhance their
academic development.
MPS will consider the results of an outside diagnosis in determining needed
services, but it is important to understand that an outside
diagnosis does not necessarily mean a child will qualify
for special education services from MPS.
A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to report the child to the school district in which the child resides. If the child attends a private school in another school district, the child should be reported to the school district where the child attends school. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made. The referral must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability. Others, including parents and private school representatives, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child.
Who is available on a day to day basis to help my child?
MPS schools have several levels of support for children.
In addition to your child’s teachers and IEP service providers, students may
receive help from:
School Psychologists
School Guidance Counselors
School Social Workers
School Administrators
Each of these people is on board to help children. Meetings
with them may occur regularly if mandated by a student’s
IEP, CST, or PST, or if requested by teacher, student, or
parent.
I am a student in need of help. Can I get it confidentially?
School support staff members are obligated to inform
parents and the Bureau of Child Welfare in certain cases.
You should ask the person you would like to speak to explain what
level of confidentiality they can provide.
If you are in need of help that is absolutely confidential
you can call:
211 - The 211 HELP line is designed to aid in social crisis
(414) 219-5555- Sexual Assault and Treatment center
(414) 220-SAFE- The Bureau of Child Welfare, Child Abuse
and Domestic Violence Hotline
Who will administer my child's medication?
Whenever possible, medication should be administered by parents
before or after school. When necessary, the school principal
and other persons designated in writing by the school principal,
may administer oral medications to students. Before any prescription
medication may be administered to a student in the Milwaukee
Public Schools, school personnel must receive written parental
/legal guardianship consent and specific written instructions from
the child’s physician.
See complete the Medication
Policy.
I have a foster child with special needs. What do I do?
Handling the special needs of foster children is usually
initiated by the child’s caseworker. In many cases,
the student already has an IEP in place. If they do not,
or if you feel it needs to be adjusted, work with your caseworker
and the school. The professionals at your school will inform
you of specific steps you should take.
