The $66.4 million special education funding gap affects every student in our district. When special education is underfunded, resources must be pulled from other areas, impacting all classrooms. As your School Board member, I’ll focus on both advocacy and implementation to ensure all students receive the support they need.
Understanding the Challenge
Special education services in Madison face three key challenges:
- Funding Gap: Wisconsin reimburses only 31% of special education costs versus the promised 90%, creating a $66.4 million annual shortfall in MMSD.
- Literacy Connection: Many students in special education primarily struggle with reading – a skill that can be taught effectively with structured literacy approaches.
- Resource Strain: Special education teachers often carry overwhelming caseloads while navigating complex paperwork requirements, reducing their instructional time.
My Approach
As your School Board member, I will:
- Advocate for Fair Funding: Work with other districts and legislators to increase the state’s special education reimbursement rate toward the promised 90%.
- Implement Early, Intensive Reading Intervention: Support structured literacy approaches proven effective for dyslexia and other learning differences before special education referral becomes necessary.
- Support Community Partnerships: Expand collaboration with organizations like the Masonic Center for specialized dyslexia tutoring and other targeted interventions.
- Reduce Administrative Burden: Streamline paperwork requirements so special education teachers can focus more time on instruction and less on documentation.
- Track Progress Systematically: Implement consistent progress monitoring to ensure every student is growing, with data-driven adjustments when needed.
Moving Forward Together
I believe every student deserves high expectations and the support to meet them. With evidence-based reading instruction and appropriate resources, we can ensure students with learning differences receive the education they deserve while addressing both our achievement and funding gaps.