Special Education

At Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), we support the behavioral and academic needs of students with disabilities and promote inclusive schooling where all students can learn and thrive together.

Programs and Services

We are committed to providing a wide range of special education programs and services, which include:

Assistive Technology (AT)
Audiology and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) Services
Autism Programming
Behavioral Support
Early Childhood Services
Occupational and Physical Therapy Services
Psychological Services
School-to-Work Transition Program
Speech and Language Services
Vision Services

Learn More About Our Special Education Programs and ServiceS

Academics

The Department of Specialized Services supports special education students in all academic areas. When an IEP team determines that a student’s needs cannot be met through the regular education program as structured, the requirement for specially designed instruction in specific curricular areas is considered. Specially designed instruction means adapting the content, method, or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs of the student that result from the student’s disability. This ensures the student can access the general education curriculum and meet the education standards that apply to all students.

In general, most students with disabilities are capable of this when necessary modifications and adaptations in content and instruction strategies are made. The majority of students with disabilities are instructed along with their regular education peers using the Common Core State Standards.

Students with more significant disabilities, such as those with severe cognitive disabilities, may also need adjustments in curriculum based on their level of ability. These students receive instruction based on the Wisconsin Essential Elements and use the Unique curriculum, which encourages reading skills across core content areas.

Information regarding English language arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies curriculum for all students is available through the Department of Teaching and Learning.

Child Find

Pursuant to federal and state law, MPS identifies, locates, and evaluates all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability, who are in need of special education and related services. This includes children attending private schools, children who are not yet three years of age, highly mobile children such as migrant and homeless children, and children who are suspected of being a student with a disability even though they are advancing from grade to grade.

District employees have an obligation to use referral procedures when a student is suspected of having a disability. MPS also recognizes that federal and state laws obligate community-based health care providers and others involved in the care and treatment of children to refer children suspected of having a disability. While such individuals do not have to obtain the authorization from the parent to make such a referral, notification of intent to refer must be given to the parent by the person making the referral.

MPS also identifies, locates, and evaluates all private-school children with disabilities who attend school within the corporate boundaries of the city of Milwaukee. The activities undertaken to carry out this responsibility for private-school children with disabilities are comparable to activities undertaken for children with disabilities in MPS. MPS consults with appropriate representatives of private-school children with disabilities on how to locate, identify, and evaluate private-school children with disabilities.

MPS is also responsible for providing outreach activities and screening to identify children suspected of having a disability and in need of special education services. School-based staff members and the MPS Child Find office must assist parents and community personnel in referring children.

For more information, please contact childfindreferrals@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414) 874-8493.