Wisconsin Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring System (CIFMS)

As the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Amendments of 1997 placed greater emphasis on results for children with disabilities, the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has been refocusing its monitoring of States to place a greater emphasis on performance and lessen the emphasis on process. OSEP has worked to shape its accountability system in a way that drives and supports improved results for children with disabilities, while continuing to require that States protect the individual rights of children with disabilities and their families. In 2000, OSEP began to focus its monitoring efforts on those requirements most closely related to improving results for children with disabilities and those States most in need of support to improve compliance and performance.

Wisconsin is now developing a Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring System (CIFMS) that incorporates the most effective elements of continuous improvement and focused monitoring as described by OSEP. The purpose of this new system is to achieve positive results for children with disabilities in Wisconsin while ensuring continued procedural compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

A key principle of an effective system is input and feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders. As we embark on this new system, DPI is involving stakeholders in the development of the CIFMS. Original selection of task force members represented the categories of stakeholder characteristics outlined by the CIFMS manual from OSEP.

Resources

• Focused Monitoring Manual
• State Performance Plan (SPP)
• Sample IEP forms
• Model Special Education Policies and Procedures - Revised June 2009
  Model Policies for 2r Charter Schools
• PI-3201-C, LEA Assurances - Special Education Policies and Procedures Print on Demand - Fillable
• LPP- Local Performance Plan (Software & Resources for District use)
• IDEA Complaints
• Mediation
• Due Process Hearing

For questions about this information, contact Anita J. Castro (608) 266-1781

Last updated on 11/20/2009 11:12:50 AM