What is Special Education?

Elmbrook's Special Education Department provides services for students who are identified with a disability. Students who are suspected of having a disability are referred for an evaluation to determine if they have a special need in one of the following areas:

• Autism
• Learning Disability
• Speech/Language Disability
• Cognitive Disability
• Orthopedically Impaired
• Visually Impaired
• Emotional Disability
• Other Health Impaired
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Hearing Impaired
• Significant Developmental Delay

If a student is determined to have a disability and needs special education services to access their education through the evaluation process, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed to identify goals, objectives, support and related services they require to benefit from the educational process. Following the development of the IEP, an appropriate educational placement will be determined and offered to parents/guardians. The parents are an integral part of the IEP process and IEP team.

Special Education Evaluations (Child Find)

Upon request, the School District of Elmbrook is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.

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 refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made.

Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.

Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability. For students attending PPMS, a referral may be made by contacting Eric Pauly, school psychologist (paulye@elmbrookschools.org or 262-785-3920) or by contacting Tanya Fredrich, Director of Student Services, School District of Elmbrook, at 262-781-3030, or by writing her at 13780 Hope St. Brookfield, WI 53008.

District Special Education Contacts