Special Education
Special education programs serve students from the ages of 3-21 who have academic, intellectual, physical, social, behavioral and/or emotional disabilities. The needs of these students cannot be met within the traditional classroom environment alone. Students are determined to have a disability by the IEP (Individual Education Plan) Team. An Individual Education Plan is then developed for the student, which includes programs and services designed to meet individual needs.
For questions about Special Education Services contact:
Linda Pierron, Director of Special Education
920.424.0112
Important Information
- Special Education Referral Process
- Parent Transportation Questionnaire
- Adapted Physical Education
- Assistive Technology
- SPED Rights for Parents and Children
- Special Education Records Requests
Special Education Referral Process
Who is eligible to receive Special Education Services?
Any student living within the geographic boundary of the Oshkosh Area School District is entitled to special education services if the student meets the eligibility requirements and has an educational need for services in one or more of the following areas:
- Intellectual Disability
- Emotional Behavioral Disability
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Autism
- Hearing Impairment
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Other Health Impairment
- Speech or Language Impairment
- Visual Impairment
- Specific Learning Disability
- Significant Developmental Delay
Who can refer a student for Special Education Services?
Federal and state special education laws allow any person to refer a student with exceptional learning needs for evaluation for entrance into a special education program.
How to make a referral for Special Education Services:
The first step in the referral process is to complete the Referral Form for Special Education and Related Services. Contact the Special Education Office at 920.424.0112 to obtain the necessary form.
What happens after the referral is submitted?
The referral will be reviewed by central office staff and an evaluation team will be assigned. An evaluation will be conducted to assess areas of concern. When all assessments are completed, an IEP (Individual Education Plan) team (which consists of the student’s parents, the student, special education teacher, regular education teacher, related service providers, and LEA (local education agency representative) will meet to discuss the findings. If the student is found to have a disability and is eligible for special education services, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is created. The IEP is a legal document that outlines the specifically designed instruction and services for each student with a disability.
Parent Transportation Questionnaire
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
You are being asked to complete this transportation questionnaire because your child is eligible for Special Education Transportation. OASD policy states that your child is eligible for Special Education Transportation ONLY IF Transportation is marked on your child's IEP or if your child is placed at a Special Education program outside of his/her home school attendance area.
We need your help in order to make bus transportation arrangements for your child and to have contact information in case of an emergency. Please complete this form using relevant information for NEXT school year.
Please complete this form by July 12th in order to arrange busing for the fall. If there are any changes after that date, you can complete the questionnaire again at the link below.
Adapted Physical Education
Adapted Physical Education
The Oshkosh Area School District is committed to providing Adapted Physical Education services and extracurricular sport opportunities for students with disabilities. Learn more about the resources and opportunities available.
For more information contact:
Korey Kleinhans, OASD Adapted Physical Education Specialist
korey.kleinhans@oshkosh.k12.wi.us
Adapted Physical Education Resources for Staff
Referring Students for APE services
Observation Request for Adapted PE services (click to complete Google Form)
Formal OASD Physical Education Observation Form (click for attachment)
Instructional Videos:
www.uwlax.edu/center/cdhapa/adapted-physical-education-instructional-videos/
Person-First Language:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/pdf/disabilityposter_photos.pdf
Adapted Physical Education Resources for Parents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
www.wrightslaw.com/info/ape.pa.elig.crit.pdf
- Learn more about the eligibility/criteria for best supports
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
www.wrightslaw.com/info/pe.index.htm
- Learn more about the IDEA laws in regards to PE and Adapted PE
Instructional Videos - Physical Education Classroom and At Home:
www.uwlax.edu/center/cdhapa/adapted-physical-education-instructional-videos/
ExerciseBuddy App:
http://www.exercisebuddy.com/about.html
- Does your son or daughter enjoy working with an Ipad? Help them engage in exercise by using the ExerciseBuddy App.
- NOTE: Exercise Connection uses an app that ANYONE can purchase for $29.99/year to engage in exercise using verbal and visual prompting through videos of children with Autism engaging in exercise.
Extracurricular Sport Opportunities
Special Olympics - Ages 8 - 21 years old
(NOTE: Must complete registration and medical forms in order to participate within any of the sports offered. Registration and Medical Form Document: https://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/WI-English-Forms.pdf)
- 2019 Sports Offered:
- Bowling
- Basketball Skills
- Soccer
- Track and Field
- Swimming (Email Korey Kleinhans or Debbie Hoff for more information: korey.kleinhans@oshkosh.k12.wi.us or bluwnab@hotmail.com)
Follow us on Facebook!
Special Olympics Wisconsin - Oshkosh Schools
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology
The Oshkosh Area School District’s Assistive Technology Team ensures students in Special Education have access to curriculum and learning through the use of appropriate AT tools and services. The team is committed to opening doors for students to be active in their learning and socially connected in their school and community.
What is Assistive Technology?
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA 2004), an assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Examples
AT tools can be low or high tech. Examples of low tech are pencil grips, picture communication boards, adapted utensils, and hand-held magnifiers. Examples of high tech include text to speech software, keyboard/mouse alternatives, speech generated devices, and speech recognition and word prediction programs.
For more information:
Contact the Special Education Office at 920.424.0112
SPED Rights for Parents and Children
Special Education Rights for Parents and Children
The following procedural safeguards notice is based on a model developed by the United States Department of Education, with adaptations for use by Wisconsin School districts and other local education agencies. Click the link below to view this notice, which is available in English, Spanish, and Hmong.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction- Special Education Rights for Parents and Children
Special Education Records Requests
Special Education Records Requests from Educational Agencies
***This is for special education records requests only. All other records requests please contact the school the student last attended.
All requests for special education records (evaluations and/or IEPs) should be emailed to Cathy Spiegel: cathy.spiegel@oshkosh.k12.wi.us or faxed to (920) 424-2090. All requests must be in writing.
All digital IEP and evaluation files will be emailed to the contact person making the request. The special education cumulative file will be mailed shortly after receiving the request.
Please provide the following information in the request:
- Student name
- Student date of birth
- Student current grade level
- Name of school/district making the request
- Name of person making the request
- Email address of person making the request for digital files
- Phone number of person making the request
- Address & contact person for special ed file to be mailed
Parents/Guardians and Students - Please use the following procedures:
**Records are retained for 5 years after the student graduates or withdraws.
For parents/guardians of current/former OASD students under the age of 18:
- All requests must be made in writing. Please use the following request form: Records request form for parents/guardians
- Records will be emailed or can be picked up in person at the administration building at: 215 S Eagle St., Oshkosh, WI 54902
For students 18 years of age or older:
- All requests must be made in writing. Please use the following request form: Records request form for parents/guardians
- Records will be emailed or can be picked up in person at the administration building at: 215 S Eagle St., Oshkosh, WI 54902
If the requester is not the parent/guardian or student:
- For all minor students, parent/guardian consent is required.
- For all students 18 years or older, the student’s written consent is required.
- Requests must be made in writing. Records request form for parents/guardians
For questions regarding special education records contact:
Cathy Spiegel
cathy.spiegel@oshkosh.k12.wi.us
(920) 424-0113