Eligibility
Specific learning disability (SLD) means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or perform mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia and developmental aphasia. The term does not include learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, motor disabilities, cognitive disabilities, emotional disturbance, cultural factors, environmental, or economic disadvantage. When someone suspects a student has a SLD, a referral for a special education evaluation is made. A team, which includes the student's parents, conducts the evaluation and decides if the student meets state and federal eligibility criteria for special education.
Wisconsin’s SLD eligibility rule was revised effective December 1, 2010. Before an IEP team can determine a student has a SLD, it must document the student, after intensive intervention, demonstrates inadequate achievement and insufficient progress in one or more of the following areas: oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, basic reading skill, reading fluency skills, reading comprehension, mathematics calculation, and mathematics problem solving . The IEP team may not identify a student as having SLD if the student's achievement problems are primarily due to one or more exclusionary factors. If the SLD criteria are met, the IEP team goes on to determine whether the student needs special education (see PI 11.35).
State and Federal SLD Criteria
- Wisconsin SLD criteria (effective 12/1/2010), Wis. Admin. Code s. PI 11.35 (6) - Appendix A - Regression Formula.
- Federal SLD Criteria
Specific Learning Disability Rule Training Opportunities
- Fall Full-Day Trainings on the SLD Rule for School Teams. (Revised 9/7/12)
- October 9: CESA 11 (covering CESAs 10 & 11)
- October 11: CESA 9 (covering CESAs 9 & 12)
- October 30: CESA 8 (covering CESAs 7 & 8)
- November 6: CESA 3 (covering CESAs 3 & 4)
- November 27: CESA 6 (covering CESAs 5 & 6)
- December 7: CESA 1
- December 13: CESA 2
Spring Full-Day Trainings on the SLD Rule for School Teams. (New 10/19/12)
- April 4: CESA 12
- April 9: CESA 5
- April 11: CESA 4
- April 17: CESA 7
- April 30: CESA 10
- May 10: CESA 1
- May 17: CESA 2
[NOTE:CESA offices will be handling registration for these trainings. Please watch for announcements and further information from your CESA.]
Guidance for Implementing Wisconsin Criteria for Specific Learning Disability
- Training Resources
- SLD Technical Guide for Eligibility Determination
- Introduction to Initial Guidance Technical Assistance Materials: A letter from Stephanie Petska
- Overview: Implementing Wisconsin Criteria for SLD
- Frequently Asked Questions about Making SLD Eligibility Decisions September 26, 2012
- Significant Changes for All Initial Evaluations Whether the LEA Has Begun Using RtI to Determine Insufficient Progress, December 2010
- Implementation Guidance--Information Sheets
- Inadequate Classroom Achievement, PI 11.36 (6)(c)(1)
- Related Checklists and Forms
- SLD Criteria Checklist-Initial Evaluation: Word Fillable - Spanish Fillable
- SLD Criteria Checklist Reevaluation: Word Fillable - Spanish Fillable
- ER-2 Additional SLD Documentation Sample Form: MS Word - Spanish
- Notes to Accompany DPI Sample Special Education Form ER 2, June 2011
- ER 1 Evaluation Report (including eligibility determination and need for special education) - MS Word
- M-3 Sample Agreement to Extend Time Limit To Complete SLD Evaluation - MS Word
- Supplemental Initial Guidance Resources
Other Eligibility Guidance
- Dyslexia and Specific Learning Disabilities, a memo from Stephanie Petska to Special Education Directors, 11/9/2006
- A Guide to Reading Fluency and the Assessment of Specific Learning Disabilities in the IDEA 2004, DRAFT - Webcast - PowerPoint
- Specific Learning Disability Assessment and Decision-Making Technical Assistance Guide - (2/03) [NOTE: Some content in this guide is no longer applicable following December 2010 SLD rule revision. The guide is being updated.]
Other Eligibility Resources
- SLD Data Graphing Tool - Graphing Tool Directions
- Wisconsin Intensive Intervention Selection Tool
- SLD Regression Table
- SLD Regression Calculation Program:
- SLD Significant Discrepancy Charting Program
- Significant Discrepancy--Background Paper
Other Resources
- Guidance for Special Education and Related Services Personnel Assisting Students within General Education Settings
- Opening Doors Transition Series
- A selection of links to other information about learning disabilities
Programming
Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) represent one of the largest disability areas in the state. Almost one third of students with disabilities have been identified as having a specific learning disability. There are about 37,000 children with a primary disability of SLD in Wisconsin. This represents slightly less than 4% of the total PK-12 student population in the state.
Students with SLD are educated using a variety of approaches including individual, small and large group instruction. Special education and related services often consist of specialized instruction in academic compensatory skills as identified by a student's IEP team. The majority of students with SLD receive most of their instruction in the general education setting with supplemental specialized instruction and support provided by certified special education teachers. Collaboration between general and special educators is critical to the success of these students.