Upon request, the District is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. The District accepts referrals for special education and 504 evaluations from parents, school staff, and community members.
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. A referral may be made by emailing Dr. Candace Weidensee, Director of Special Education, at cjw2@OregonSD.org or mailing the referral to her attention at the District Office, located at 123 E. Grove Street, Oregon, WI, 53575.
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.
The District evaluates students and when a need is identified, develops 504 Accommodation plans or provides special education services consistent with federal and state law and administrative rules set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), WI statute Ch 115, and administrative code PI 11.36. Per the administrative code, service plans are developed to meet the needs based on 12 areas of impairment including Autism, Emotional Behavior Disability, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Intellectual Disability, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Significant Developmental Delay, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Blind and Visually Impaired and Deafblind. Additional information on the laws that govern special education, can be found at the Wisconsin Department of Instruction.
In addition to the school age population, the Oregon School District strives to provide inclusive services in regular education classrooms and natural environments for preschool age students. Children aged 3-5 years, with identified disabilities are served in community daycares, preschools, playgroups, and in school settings. Students with disabilities who are enrolled in 4 year old kindergarten, are served at their 4K site where they learn alongside their non-disabled peers. A range of services are provided to all students with disabilities, from ages 3 through 21, in the student’s least restrictive environment.
