Key Terms:

IDEA: (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Federal legislation governing special education.

Chapter 115: Wisconsin legislation governing special education.

P.I. 11: Wisconsin administrative rules and regulations for special education.

Highlights of IDEA's Reauthorization

On June 7, 1997, President Clinton signed into law the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997. These amendments significantly change certain aspects of special education law. The 1997 Amendments represent the culmination of several years of work by the Clinton Administration, Congress, educators, parents, and advocates for students with disabilities to reauthorize IDEA. The good news about this legislation is that the changes may result in more flexibility in designing and delivering special education services.

Major Changes: Significant changes were made in the following areas of IDEA:

• Identification, evaluation, IEP, and placement;
• Participation and performance of EEN students in state and local assessment programs;
• Private school placements;
• Discipline, suspension and expulsion;
• Parent dispute resolution; and
• Funding.

In addition to changes in federal legislation governing special education, the State of Wisconsin is drafting a statutory Proposal to significantly alter Chapter 115, the state laws governing special education. These changes would align Wisconsin special education law with federal law. If approved by the State Legislature in March 1998, the proposed changes would eventually result in the repeal of about two thirds of P.I. 11 - the Wisconsin Administrative Rules governing special education.

Timeline for Implementation: Some of IDEA's changes went into effect on July 1, 1997. Therefore, MMSD will immediately begin to address these changes through the development of an implementation plan. This plan, developed with the assistance of the IDEA Steering Committee, will outline a series of action steps to bring the District into compliance with IDEA and any subsequent changes in State law and Administrative Rules and Regulations.

The goal of the MMSD is to have a local implementation plan developed by July 1998. Certain actions contained in the plan will have already been implemented yet this year, while others will commence with the 1998-99 school year.

Reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This flyer is to provide information on the Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and subsequent changes in the MMSD's local special education policy and procedures. A Steering Committee has been appointed to assist with the overall planning process to bring our District into compliance with these mandated changes. This Committee, comprised of teachers, administrators, and legal council will meet on a regular basis during the 1997-98 school year to guide the planning and implementation of changes in our local policies and procedures.

Locate more specific information about the reauthorization via the Internet at:

http://www.dpi.st ate.wi.us/dpi/dlsea/een/idea.html

Jack Jorgensen, Director
Department of Educational Services
January 1998