Madison schools present midterm update on three‑year special education plan

Madison Metropolitan School District leaders presented a year‑two update on the district’s three‑year special education plan at the Instruction Work Group meeting, reporting progress on inclusion and post‑school outcomes while flagging persistent staffing and funding gaps.

The presentation, led by Superintendent Dr. Catherine Gothard and assistant superintendent Cindy Green and delivered primarily by Associate Superintendent Nancy Molfenten, reviewed districtwide services, site practices at Marquette and Olson elementaries, and transition programs including Campus Connect at Madison College. Gothard said the state provides far less funding than needed for specialized services, telling the work group that “the state of Wisconsin is underfunded specialized services in our state by $1,800,000,000.”

District staff said roughly 4,100 students districtwide have an individualized education program (IEP). Nancy Molfenten said 83 percent of students with an IEP spend 80 percent or more of the school day in general education settings—above the state average of 76 percent—and that…