Parents are an important part of their children’s education.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that parents have the opportunity to participate equally with others on Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams. 

Parents may participate in any meetings about their child's identification, evaluation, and educational placement as a child with a disability, and any meetings about the provision of a free appropriate public education to their child.

Parents' rights should be explained to them throughout the special education process.

Wisconsin law gives parents the opportunity to participate in the development and review of the school district's Special Education Plan for all children with disabilities.  School districts must evaluate parents' general satisfaction with special education and related services in the district, and report that information in the Special Education Plan.  Each district's Special Education Plan is a public document that is available on the Internet.

Parents and staff who care for children with special education needs in the Waukesha school district are welcome to attend the Special Needs Information Workshops:

October 9:  Organization - Sharing of systems and resources
November 13:  Easter Seals - Sibshop - Amber Mavroff
December:  no workshop
January 8:  The Journey Begins Here - Creating a Student's Transition Plan for the future
February 12:  Summer Programs - Topsoccer and Special Olympics
March 12:  Sexual Boundaries - Terri Couwenhoven (CHW)
April 2:  Communication Tools - Denise Schamens
May 14:  To Be Determined

To ensure proper staffing for childcare, parents are asked to RSVP to Kim Chynoweth (kchynowe@waukesha.k12.wi.us), or call (262) 970-1103.  Meetings are held from 6 - 7:30 p.m at Banting Elementary, located at 2019 Butler Drive.  Contact Denise Schamens (dschamensbbc@aol.com) for more information.

Resources for parents are also available by viewing the Resource Library.

The Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) is a service for parents, educators, and others interested in parent-educator partnerships for children with disabilities.  Click here for the link to the Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative.

The Partnerships for Children's Mental Health Parent Support Group meets at the Goodwill Community Center at Main Street and Nike Drive.  Click here for information on these meetings.

For information on additional resources as a parent/guardian of a current special education student in the School District of Waukesha, please click here.

Updated 10/21/08