Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
Dear Parents and Guardians of School District of Wittenberg-Birnamwood Students,
As required by Wisconsin law, PI 11.36(6)(c)2, we are notifying you that effective December 1, 2013, all schools in our district will be using a Response to Intervention (RtI) approach for initial Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) evaluations.
In preparation for this legally required change, we have been implementing RtI practices in most of our district classrooms for the past several years. The essence of RtI is to have teachers using progress monitoring data from a student's response to intensive, scientific, research based or evidence based intervention to determine insufficient progress for initial SLD evaluations, including eligibility, and in the development of Student Success Team (SST) plans for students struggling in school yet not believed to be a student with a disability.
This letter is for communication purposes and to notify you that beginning on December 1, 2013, initial SLD evaluations in all WB schools will begin using information from a student's response to intensive, scientific research based or evidence-based interventions when making special education eligibility decisions. We will continue to use this approach in the development of our SST plans with parent or guardian involvement being a critical factor in helping struggling learners become more successful in school.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, RtI webpage or contact me at 715-253-2213.
Sincerely,
Megan Marcks, Director of Pupil Services
