Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), public schools have a responsibility to identify and support students with disabilities. This identification responsibility is commonly referred to as “child find.”   In Michigan, which adheres to both the federal IDEA and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), child find means schools must seek out and evaluate individuals aged birth to 26-years-old suspected of having disabilities.  Parents may also request a special education evaluation if they believe their child could meet educational disability criteria.  Ultimately, special education programs and services are provided to eligible students with disabilities who have been evaluated in a manner consistent with IDEA and MARSE.

The Michigan Department of Education requires school boards to adopt and disseminate an approved evaluation model for identifying students with specific learning disabilities (LD).  To determine eligibility for 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 Kent Intermediate School District PSW Guidelines, the initial 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.

Resource Program

The resource program supports growth in the general education curriculum by providing specialized instruction in targeted academic areas.

Programs for Students with Cognitive Impairments

Students requiring a functional life skills curriculum are supported through district programs for students with mild or moderate cognitive impairments.

Early Childhood Special Education

Preschool students who are eligible for special education are supported through the district’s early childhood special education program.

Regional and Center Programs

Wyoming Public Schools cooperates regionally and at the county level to provide programs for students whose needs cannot be met within the traditional school setting or district.

Teacher Consultant Service

Special education staff consult with general education teachers for the purpose of advancing academic growth in core content areas.

Speech and Language Service

Eligible students receive instruction by speech/language pathologists to improve expressive language, receptive language, fluency and/or articulation.

Social Work Service

School social work addresses social, emotional and/or behavioral needs of students in the educational setting.

Occupational Therapy Service

Sensory and/or fine motor needs with identified educational impact are addressed directly or consultatively by occupational therapists.

Additional Services

In collaboration with Kent Intermediate School District physical therapy, visual impairment services, and deaf and hard of hearing support are provided to eligible students.

The Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) maintains a Parent Advisors for Special Education (PASE) committee.  This committee provides input on special education program and service provision within Kent County.  PASE is comprised of parents of children with disabilities from each of the local KISD school districts.  All PASE representatives are volunteers who must be approved by their local  boards of education.   For more information on PASE click here: http://www.kentisd.org/instructional-services/special-education/services/pase-/ [KISD PASE].

To connect with a Wyoming Public Schools PASE representative, please contact the Student Services office: (616) 530-7525.

A Parent’s Guide to Navigating the IEP Process   –  English   |   Spanish

Special Education Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards 

Special Education Parent Handbook with Procedural Safeguards – Spanish 

MARSE Rules Supplemented with IDEA 

http://www.kentisd.org/instructional-services/special-education/ (Kent ISD Special Education)

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-6530_6598—,00.html (Michigan Office of Special Education)

http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/ (Michigan Alliance for Families)