Special
Education
The school funding system has hurt the education of all children by not providing enough funding to school districts for special education services.
- About the issue
- Why does this matter to people with disabilities?
- Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue?
- Who can I contact with my questions?
- Background Information For This Issue
About the issue: (Top of page)
Both Wisconsin and federal special education laws passed in the 1970’s that guarantee a free appropriate public education (K-12) for students with disabilities. Many children with disabilities in Wisconsin still struggle to receive that guarantee. The struggle seems to happen because school districts lack adequate funds in their special education budgets.
Both federal and state governments have not kept up their special education funding commitments. In addition, over the past ten years state laws have put caps on general education funds. This combination has had the effect of limiting both general and special education budgets. Now most school districts are struggling to meet the needs of all students.
School districts are required to meet the educational needs of special education students. Since their budgets have been shrinking, they have used general education funds to fill the shortfall. Because of this there is often a tension that pits teachers and administrators against one another, as well as parents against one another.
These unhealthy tensions could increase as school districts are forced to use limited general education funds to fund special education. If school districts are unwilling to use general education funds for special education, they may fail to comply with special education laws and not provide adequate education to children with disabilities.
Why does this matter to people with disabilities? (Top of page)
It appears that the way our schools are funded is broken or at least needs to be addressed. Schools should have a budgeting system that accounts for the educational needs of all students and is equal to all. Several funding proposals have been introduced in the past several years, but none have passed and the system continues to decline.
Failure to address the way schools are funded will only allow all students to receive less than the best education. Without adequate funding for special education, students with disabilities will continue to lack the necessary support to ensure their educational success.
Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue? (Top of page)
- Assembly Bill 15 - Autism Insurance
This is a companion autism insurance bill to SB-3. This bill requires health insurance policies to cover the cost of treatment for someone diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or a pervasive developmental disorder if the treatment is provided by a [More on Assembly Bill 15 ]
Outcome: Insurance coverage for children with autism was included in the 2009-2011 state budget, AB-75, which was passed into law on June 29, 2009 as Act 28. - Assembly Bill 75 - State Budget
This bill is Gov. Doyle's proposed 2009-2011 State Budget. It covers all of the state's expenese and revenues for the next two years starting 7-1-09. It affects most of the services and programs used by people with disabilities. [More on Assembly Bill 75 ]
Outcome: This bill was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Doyle on June 29, 2009. It became Act 28. - Assembly Bill 584 - Dyslexia Screening
This bill directs the Dept. of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop or adopt a screening device for children in grades K-5 who are at risk of reading failure because of lack of phonemic awareness and rapid naming (dyslexia). [More on Assembly Bill 584 ]
Outcome: This bill failed to pass out of committee before the session ended. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature. - Assembly Bill 616 - School Nurses
This bill defines and clarifies the boundaries for a school nurse. It also defines which school personnel can distribute both prescribed and non-prescribed drugs to students at school. [More on Assembly Bill 616 ]
Outcome: The Senate version of this bill passed both houses of the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on March 15, 2010. It became Act 160. - Assembly Bill 682 - Seclusion and Restraint in Schools
The companion to this bill is SB 468. This bill limits the use of seclusion and restraint in schools by prohibiting dangerous practices, setting standards for training of school personnel, and requiring documentation of incidents and reports to parents a [More on Assembly Bill 682 ]
Outcome: This bill failed to pass out of Committee before the session ended. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature. - Senate Bill 3 - Autism Insurance
This bill requires health insurance policies to cover the cost of treatment for someone diagnosed with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or a pervasive developmental disorder if the treatment is provided by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker or a [More on Senate Bill 3 ]
Outcome: Insurance coverage for children with autism was included in the 2009-2011 state budget, AB-75, which was passed into law on June 29, 2009 as Act 28. - Senate Bill 154 - School Safety and Bullying
This bill requires schools to develop plans for addressing school safety and bullying as well as record keeping. [More on Senate Bill 154 ]
Outcome: This bill passed both houses of the legislature. This was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on May 12, 2010. It became Act 309. - Senate Bill 202 - Bullying in Schools
This bill directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop a model school policy on bullying by pupils. The bill also directs DPI to develop a model education and awareness program on bullying. The bill directs each school board to adopt a po [More on Senate Bill 202 ]
Outcome: This bill did not pass out of committee before the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature. - Senate Bill 414 - School Nurses
This bill defines and clarifies the boundaries for a school nurse. It also defines which school personnel can distribute both prescribed and non-prescribed drugs to students at school. [More on Senate Bill 414 ]
Outcome: This bill passed both houses of the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on March 15, 2010. It became Act 160. - Senate Bill 468 - Seclusion and Restraints in Schools
This bill limits the use of seclusion and restraint in schools by prohibiting dangerous practices, setting standards for training of school personnel, and requiring documentation of incidents and reports to parents and the Department of Public Instruction [More on Senate Bill 468 ]
Outcome: This bill had a public hearing but did not make it out of committee by the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
Who can I contact with my questions? (Top of page)
John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Madison WI 53703-2796
Phone: Voice (608) 266-7707; TDD (608) 266-6660
Email: John1.Shaw@wisconsin.gov
Fax: (608) 267-3906
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