Special Education

September 25, 2009

Dear Parents,

The State of Connecticut, focusing its efforts on addressing high academic standards for all

students, has determined that there will be a state criteria change for the identification of students

with specific learning disabilities. This change follows the reauthorization of IDEA 2004 and is

designed to place an emphasis on the use of scientific research-based interventions and databased

documentation of student progress in the context of identifying students who have a

specific learning disability. We are being asked to use multiple measures, progress monitoring

and fidelity of instruction when determining whether or not a student has a specific learning

disability.

The new LD guidelines were due out from the state by December of 2008 with an

implementation date for this change of July 1, 2009. As of July 10, 2009, the state provided

districts with an executive summary of the proposed guidelines but no specific indicators or

guidelines. As a result, the state is offering districts the opportunity to request additional time to

develop the district’s model for identification of students with specific learning disabilities.

Madison Public Schools has determined that we will request a year long extension to the

implementation of the new guidelines. During this time, as we are developing the Madison

Public Schools plan, we will continue to use an array of data including standardized tests, district

assessments, progress monitoring, curriculum based measures, the previous “Guidelines for

Identifying Children with Learning Disabilities” and may utilize the IQ-achievement discrepancy

as part of the eligibility decision. It is our belief that it is in the best interests of our students that

we proceed in a thoughtful and measured manner so that our district evaluation provides our

school teams with the information necessary to best identify those students who have specific

learning disabilities and to provide our students with the programs and strategies necessary for

them to achieve success.

If you have any questions regarding this extension or if you would like more information, please

feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Twiss

Director of Special Education and Student Services