Wanna Grow alternative program shows early success; special‑education staff flag disproportionality and referral volume

Teachers and special education staff told the Waunakee curriculum committee that the new Wanna Grow alternative program has produced high attendance and engagement while special‑education leaders outlined district targets and equity concerns.

Laura Ostrander, introduced as the teacher overseeing the Wanna Grow program, and a lead teacher returning to the district described the program’s core beliefs — a whole‑child focus, strong relationships and personalized instruction — and said students in the program attend at rates above 98%. "We're taking kiddos that weren't thinking of learning for a while, and now are starting to see the possibilities," one teacher said, describing daily engagement and growth.

Special education staff set a 2025–26 target: 80% of the district’s target‑group students should make expected growth in reading, and said teams use multiple assessments (AIMSweb, the Qualitative Reading Inventory and iReady) for baseline and progress monitoring. Staff estimated the district typically completes 120–150 initial special‑education referral evaluations per year; so far this year they have completed 13 evaluations with five students found not eligible.

Presenters also acknowledged an overrepresentation of African American students in special education, saying the rate remains above the threshold that triggered a DEI plan (described in the presentation as roughly "2 to 2.5 times" the likelihood compared with white peers) and that the district is examining referrals and MTSS processes to address bias in identification.

Board members praised the program and asked how the district could support expansion; staff said next steps include mapping pockets of need and considering whether to add staff or reallocate internal FTE. The committee closed the meeting after appreciation and a motion to adjourn.