Eligibility

Wyoming Public Schools offers a continuum of programs and services for students who qualify for special education. Wyoming has a full diagnostic staff that conducts student evaluations and provides support services to students, teachers, and parents.

Typically, requests for individual student evaluations are generated through the building-level Child Study Team process when there is a question as to whether a student may have a disability that impedes or impacts the learning process. Parents may request a multi-disciplinary evaluation be completed if there is suspicion that their child may have a disability. For school or parent initiated referrals, signed parental permission is necessary, and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is conducted within 30 days of initial consent. Wyoming Public Schools adheres to state and federal policies and laws.

Image of the Preschool Eligibility Chart

To determine eligibility for specific learning disabilities (LD) the Wyoming Public Schools utilizes an evaluative model commonly referred to as pattern of strengths and weaknesses (PSW).
The PSW model involves two main components.

The first component is to review the student’s response to targeted interventions in the general education setting. Prior to considering LD eligibility it should be clear that intensive general education interventions were attempted but unsuccessful in correcting the academic delay(s).
The second component is to review existing data and administer assessments in an effort to determine if a pattern of strengths and weaknesses can be identified.

Consistent with commonly accepted practice, the eligibility determination team must identify at least four areas of weakness within a single LD category and three areas of strength in a separate LD category in order for eligibility to be considered.

The specific categories of LD eligibility as defined by the State of Michigan (Rule 340.1713) are: Basic Reading Skills, Reading Fluency, Reading Comprehension, Math Calculations, Math Problem Solving, Written Expression, Oral Expression, and Listening Comprehension.

Photo of a student and their family inside a gymnasium.

Photo of female student working at a computer.