Departments
Special Education Services & Support - Whitmore Lake Public Schools
The Department of Special Education at Whitmore Lake Public Schools strives to educate students in the most inclusive environment possible for each child, with ages ranging from birth to 26 years old. We pride ourselves in strong connections with families and carry our small community's values into the classroom where every child's unique strengths are honored. In addition to teaching the state curriculum, we help each child develop important life skills and encourage academic growth at their own rate. The Department of Special Education at WLPS also participates in mandated Child Find programs and provides services to non-public schools within our district. Overall, we're a family who respects differences, encourages growth, and celebrates one another.
Inclusive Special Education at Whitmore Lake Public Schools
With consideration of federal guidelines and state requirements, specific learning disability eligibility is evaluated using a pattern of strengths and weaknesses. This method is based on the assessment and review of achievement scores as well as performance in a variety of academic areas, with documentation of a pattern of strengths in one or more areas as compared to other areas where the student demonstrates a pattern of significant academic weaknesses. Criteria for determining a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) for students in all buildings and all grades in the district and include the following:
Grade Level Standards
The student does not achieve adequately for the student's age or meet State-approved grade-level standards in one or more of the areas identified at 34CFR 300.309(a) (1) (i) when provided with learning experiences and instruction appropriate for the student's age or State-approved grade-level standards.
Evaluations and Reevaluations
The student exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both relative to age, State approved grade-level standards or intellectual development, which is determined by the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team to be relevant to the identification of SLD, using appropriate assessments, consistent with the IDEA (Identification of Specific Learning Disabilities) Evaluation Procedures and Additional Requirements for Evaluations and Reevaluations.
Attendance
Attendance and exposure to appropriate educational opportunities will continue to be a factor of relevance.
To learn more about the Department of Special Education at WLPS, please contact Melissa Heuker, Director of Student Services,
at Melissa.Heuker@wlps.net, or call 734-449-4464 ext. 5009.
Special Education Programs & Services at Whitmore Lake
Whitmore Lake Public Schools believes in balancing inclusion with the general population, and pull out support services to meet every student’s individual needs. The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that guarantees children and youth with disabilities a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Not all programs and services will be provided for each student. An Individualized Education Planning Committee (IEPC) determines which programs and/or services are appropriate for each student
Programs and/or services are provided to students who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Autistic Impaired
- Emotionally Impaired
- Hearing Impaired
- Learning Disabled
- Physically Impaired
- Otherwise Health Impaired
- Early Childhood Developmentally Delayed
- Speech and Language Impaired
- Visually Impaired
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Mildly Cognitive Impaired
- Moderately Cognitive Impaired
- Severely Cognitive Impaired
- Severely Multiply Impaired
Whitmore Lake provides the following programs and services in-district:
- School-based Speech and Language Therapy
- School-based Occupational Therapy
- School-based Physical Therapy
- School-based Social Work
- Teacher Consultation
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Resource Room
- Program for the Mildly Cognitively Impaired
WLPS and Washtenaw Intermediate School District partner to
provide the following services to students in-district:
Hearing impairment consultation
Visual impairment consultation
Behavior consultation
WLPS and Washtenaw Intermediate School District partner to provide the
following services to students out-of-district:
- Moderately/severely cognitive impairment
- Severely multiply impaired
- Severely emotional impaired
- Young adult
To learn more about the Department of Special Education at WLPS, please contact Melissa Heuker, Director of Student Services,
at Melissa.Heuker@wlps.net, or call 734-449-4464 ext. 5009.
Partnering with Washtenaw ISD for Special Education Resources
As the parent or guardian of a student participating in a special education program or service at Whitmore Lake Public Schools, you can find beneficial information regarding special education via these Washtenaw Intermediate School District resources.
Important Special Education Services in Washtenaw County
Click the links below to learn more about each service.
Implementing Services
The Washtenaw ISD Special Education Department directly implements services for approximately 300 students with significant and low-incidence disabilities from birth to 26 years old, and court-involved youth.
Transition Service
Young adults often benefit from transition services from the school, ISD, or other community agencies.
Assistive Technology
Public school districts in Washtenaw County have adopted a common process for considering the need for assistive technology.
Parent Handbook
The PAC has published a Parent Handbook and Procedural Safeguards Notice.
Medicaid School Based Services
In Michigan, the Medicaid School Based Services program provides partial reimbursement for services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, psychological services, social work services, orientation and mobility services, transportation, nursing services, case management and assistive technology services.
To learn more about the Department of Special Education at WLPS, please contact Melissa Heuker, Director of Student Services,
at Melissa.Heuker@wlps.net, or call 734-449-4464 ext. 5009.
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