Special Education
Dear Parents,
We at Wayne-Westland Community Schools invite you to become acquainted with the programs, people, and organizations available to help you and your child.
If, at any time, you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. It is our goal to help all students reach maximum potential.
Sincerely,
Charley Hallman
Director of Special Education
734-419-2071
The philosophy of Wayne-Westland Community Schools Special Education Services is to provide each person with an exceptional and individualized educational program that is designed to meet the student’s unique needs as a learner in accordance with Individuals with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Each student is entitled to opportunities in an exemplary educational experience in the least restrictive environment. By working as a community of learners, our goal is to enable each student to fully reach his or her own potential and become a valuable member of society.
All school buildings have special education teacher consultant services in regular education. Available in the district are basic classrooms for eligible students and include center program classrooms for students with orthopedic disabilities (POHI), profoundly multiple disabilities (SXI), dual diagnosed (DD), or severe cognitive disabilities (SCI). Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis.
Thank you to all who show us your continued support.
See our list of our transition programs and established community partners.
WWCS Special Education Overview
All school buildings have special education teacher consultant services in regular education. Available in the district are basic classrooms for eligible students and include center program classrooms for students with orthopedic disabilities (POHI), profoundly multiple disabilities (SXI), dual diagnosed (DD), or severe cognitive disabilities (SCI). Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis.
Pre-School Special Education
SPARKEY, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Head Start Preschool, Early Childhood Program (ECP), Early Childhood Services (ECS), Parent as Teacher (PAT), and Transition services.
Elementary Special Education
All elementary buildings have special education Teacher Consultant and Resource Room support. For eligible students, WWCSD also offers a full continuum of programs and services including center program classrooms for students with orthopedic disabilities (POHI), profoundly multiple disabilities (SXI), dual diagnosed (DD), or severe cognitive disabilities (SCI). Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis
Secondary Special Education
All middle school & high school buildings have special education Teacher Consultant services in regular education. Available in each building are departmentalized programs for students who are eligible per their IEP. Wayne-Westland also offers a full continuum of programs and services including Resource Room programs and center program classrooms for students with orthopedic disabilities (POHI), profoundly multiple disabilities (SXI), dual diagnosed (DD), or severe cognitive disabilities (SCI). Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis.
Additional Services
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides additional services such as School Psychologists, School Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Homebound Services, Assistive Technology Services, and Transition Services.
Parent Information
See this page for more resources such as PDF's and external websites with more information.
Pre-School Special Education
Preschool Programs
Preschool programs offered at Stottlemyer Early Childhood and Family Development Center include:
- SPARKEY – tuition-based program for 3 & 4-year-olds
- Great Start Readiness Program GSRP – MDE program for At-Risk 4-year-olds,
- Head Start Preschool, Head Start, a free preschool program for children of income-eligible families.
- Early Childhood Program ECP – a special education program for eligible 3-5-year-old students.
- Early Childhood Services Program ECS – special in-home services for eligible students from birth to 3 years of age.
- Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis.
Parent As Teacher (PAT)
PAT is an early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until the child enters kindergarten. This program consists of scheduled home visitations and may include participation in an appropriate ECS group session.
Headstart
Wayne-Westland Community Schools is a delegate operator for the Wayne County Headstart program. Headstart is a federally funded program for income eligible three and four-year-olds. This is a developmentally appropriate half-day, four-day per week program.
Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP) - Kids Plus
The Kids Plus MSRP program serves eligible at-risk four-year-olds. This is a developmentally appropriate half-day, four-day per week program.
SPARKEY (a parent-paid tuition preschool program)
SPARKEY is a developmentally appropriate half-day, two-day per week program.
Transition
It is strongly encouraged that students transitioning to the elementary school programs visit their neighborhood school or basic classroom program to ease the anxiety of the level change. Together, we will make these life experiences positive for the student and her/his parents.
Elementary School Special Education
Elementary Programs
All elementary buildings have special education Teacher Consultant and Resource Room support. For eligible students, WWCSD also offers a full continuum of programs and services including center program classrooms for students with orthopedic disabilities (POHI), profoundly multiple disabilities (SXI), dual diagnosed (DD), or severe cognitive disabilities (SCI). Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis.
Building Descriptions
Graham, Taft, and Walker-Winter:
A district-wide cross-categorical program for special education students who require life skills support in addition to applied academics and self-advocacy.
Hoover and Wildwood:
A district-wide transition program for special education students who require behavioral support. Transition basic classroom is for students who are special education eligible and who have been determined to need an additional level of support beyond consultation. Core academic and social skills are taught in this classroom. It is expected that students will benefit from the alternative programming offered to meet their unique needs and that they will return to the teacher consultant or resource room program in their neighborhood school and continue their academic and behavioral success.
Roosevelt-McGrath:
The Wayne RESA Western Region classroom program for students with a Physical or Otherwise Health Impairment (POHI). This program mixes academic classes with activities of daily living which include adaptive physical education and aquatics, and community-based instruction (CBI), that is appropriate for the age, skills, and interest levels of these students.
The Wayne RESA Southwestern Region classroom programs for students with Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI) or Multiple Impairment (SXI). These programs typically focus on activities of daily living and include adaptive physical education and aquatics, and community-based instruction (CBI), that is appropriate for the age, skills, and interest levels of these students.
Adams:
A district-wide cross-categorical program for special education students who require life skills support in addition to applied academics and self-advocacy. A district-wide transition program for special education students who require behavioral support. Transition basic classroom is for students who are special education eligible and who have been determined to need an additional level of support beyond consultation. Core academic and social skills are taught in this classroom. It is expected that students will benefit from the alternative programming offered to meet their unique needs and that they will return to the co-taught program and continue their academic and behavioral success.
The Wayne RESA Southwestern Region classroom programs for students with Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI). This program typically focuses on activities of daily living and includes adaptive physical education and aquatics, and community-based instruction (CBI), that is appropriate for the age, skills, and interest levels of these students.
Marshall:
A district-wide cross-categorical program for special education students who require life skills support in addition to applied academics and self-advocacy. A district-wide transition program for special education students who require behavioral support. Transition basic classroom is for students who are special education eligible and who have been determined to need an additional level of support beyond consultation. Core academic and social skills are taught in this classroom. It is expected that students will benefit from the alternative programming offered to meet their unique needs and that they will return to the co-taught program and continue their academic and behavioral success.
The Wayne RESA Western Region classroom program for students with a Physical or Otherwise Health Impairment (POHI). This program mixes academic classes with activities of daily living which include adaptive physical education and aquatics, and community-based instruction (CBI), that is appropriate for the age, skills, and interest levels of these students.
Building Directory
Edison
Phone: (734) 419-3644
FAX: (734) 595-2600
Elliott
Phone: (734) 419-4617
FAX: (734) 595-2610
Graham
Phone: (734) 419-3470
FAX: (734) 595-2620
Hamilton
Phone: (734) 419-4522
FAX: (734) 595-2488
Hicks
Phone: (734) 419-3017
FAX: (313) 595-8450
Hoover
Phone: (734) 419-4627
FAX: (734) 595-2498
Roosevelt-McGrath
Phone: (734) 419-4732
FAX: (734) 595-2126
Schweitzer
Phone: (734) 419-3069
FAX: (734) 595-2564
Taft-Galloway
Phone: (734) 419-3434
FAX: (734) 595-2574
Walker-Winter
Phone: (734) 419-3798
FAX: (734) 595-2578
Wildwood
Phone: (734) 419-4775
FAX: (734) 595-2579
Adams
Phone: (734) 419-2375
FAX: (734-595-2374
Marshall
Phone: (734) 419-2276
FAX: (734) 595-2588
Secondary Special Education
Middle School Programs
All middle school buildings have special education Teacher Consultant services in regular education. Available in each building are departmentalized programs for students who are eligible per their IEP. Wayne-Westland also offers a full continuum of programs and services including Resource Room programs and center program classrooms for students with orthopedic disabilities (POHI), profoundly multiple disabilities (SXI), dual diagnosed (DD), or severe cognitive disabilities (SCI). Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis.
High School Programs
All high school buildings have special education Teacher Consultant services in regular education. Available in each building are departmentalized programs for eligible students that include resource and basic classroom services. Available in the district are basic classrooms for eligible students and include center program classrooms for students with orthopedic disabilities (POHI), profoundly multiple disabilities (SXI), dual diagnosed (DD), or severe cognitive disabilities (SCI). Center program classrooms for students with severe disabilities are available on a regional basis.
Building Descriptions
Franklin Middle School:
A district-wide cross-categorical program for special education students who require life skills supports in addition to applied academics and self-advocacy. A district-wide transition program for special education students who require behavioral support. Transition basic classroom is for students who are special education eligible and who have been determined to need an additional level of support beyond consultation. Core academic and social skills are taught in this classroom. It is expected that students will benefit from the alternative programming offered to meet their unique needs and that they will return to the co-taught program and continue their academic and behavioral success.
The Wayne RESA Southwestern Region classroom programs for students with Dual Diagnosed, Severe Cognitive Impaired, and Severe Multiple Impairment (SXI). These programs typically focus on activities of daily living and include adaptive physical education and aquatics, and community-based instruction (CBI), that is appropriate for the age, skills, and interest levels of these students.
Stevenson Middle School:
A district-wide cross-categorical program for special education students who require life skills supports in addition to applied academics and self-advocacy. Typically, students enroll in applied academic and pre-vocational classes. A district-wide transition program for special education students who require behavioral support. Transition basic classroom is for students who are special education eligible and who have been determined to need an additional level of support beyond consultation. Core academic and social skills are taught in this classroom. It is expected that students will benefit from the alternative programming offered to meet their unique needs and that they will return to the co-taught program and continue their academic and behavioral success.
John Glenn High School:
The Wayne RESA Western Region classroom program for students with a Physical or Otherwise Health Impairment (POHI). This program mixes academic classes with activities of daily living which include adaptive physical education and aquatics, and community-based instruction (CBI), that is appropriate for the age, skills, and interest levels of these students. Some students in this program complete a rigorous academic program and earn a high school diploma.
Wayne Memorial:
The Wayne RESA Southwestern Region classroom programs for students with Dual Diagnosed, Severe Cognitive Impairment (SCI) and Severe Multiple Impairment (SXI). These programs typically focus on activities of daily living and include adaptive physical education and aquatics, and community-based instruction (CBI), that is appropriate for the age, skills, and interest levels of these students. Typically students in the SCI or SXI programs age-out and are awarded certificates of completion.
Tinkham Senior High Alternative:
Special education support on a teacher consultant basis and in the form of Dual Diagnosed and Behavior Recovery basic classrooms. These basic classrooms are for students who are special education eligible and who have been determined to need an additional level of support beyond consultation. Students work on improving behaviors and focus on academic skills needed for school success. It is expected that students will benefit from the alternative programming offered to meet their unique needs at Tinkham and that they will return to their neighborhood high school and continue their academic and behavioral success.
Building Directory
Franklin Middle School
Phone: (734) 419-2417
FAX: (734) 595-2401
Stevenson Middle School
Phone: (734) 419-2355
FAX: (734) 595-269
John Glenn High School
Phone: (734) 419-2312
FAX: (734) 595-2338
Wayne Memorial High School
Phone: (734) 419-2271
FAX: (734) 595-2227
Tinkham Senior High Alternative Program
Phone: (734) 419-2312
FAX: (734) 595-2338
Additional Services
School Psychologists
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides school psychology for general and special education eligible students. School Psychologists conduct assessments and interventions as needed to enable students to progress in the general curriculum. Psychologists generally assess ability and achievement.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's school psychologist (contact your child's school office). Should additional information be needed, the supervisor of your child's program may also be contacted.
Click here for our school directory
School Social Work
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides school social work for general and special education eligible students.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's school social worker (contact your child's school office). Should additional information be needed, the supervisor of your child's program may also be contacted.
Speech & Language
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides speech and language intervention services and programs for special education eligible students. Language and/or articulation assessments are conducted as needed to enable students with impairments to progress in the general curriculum or to communicate.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's case manager. Should additional information be needed, the supervisor of the speech department may also be contacted.
Occupational Therapy
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides occupational therapy services to special education eligible students. Occupational therapy requires a physician's referral and script setting the parameters for intervention needed to enable the student to participate in their educational program. In general, an occupational therapist provides interventions to address fine motor needs related to handwriting and/or eating.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's case manager. Should additional information be needed, the supervisor of Occupational Therapy services may also be contacted.
Director of Occupational Therapy Services
Dyanne Hildebrandt
Phone: (734) 419-2068
E-mail: HildebrantD@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail: (734) 419-2198 mailbox 2065#
Physical Therapy
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides physical therapy services to special education eligible students. Physical therapy requires a physician's referral and script setting the parameters for intervention needed to enable the student to participate in their educational program. In general, a physical therapist provides interventions to address gross motor needs related to walking and/or sitting.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's case manager. Should additional information be needed, the supervisor of Physical Therapy services may also be contacted.
Director of Physical Therapy Services
Dyanne Hildebrandt
Phone: (734) 419-2068
E-mail: HildebrantD@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail: (734) 419-2198 mailbox 2065#
Homebound
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides homebound services to both general and special education eligible students. A physician's referral which documents the medical/physical reason that the student cannot physically attend school is needed to initiate and maintain homebound services. Under rare circumstances, a special education eligible student may have a written individualized educational plan (IEP) which places the student on a home-study program. Service for a general education student is typically two 45-minute sessions per week, for a special education eligible student two non-consecutive hours per week.
Contacts
Jessica Saylors - Secretary
Phone: 734-419-2067
FAX: (734) 595-2081
E-mail: SaylorsJ@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail: (734) 419-2198 mailbox 2067#
Assistive Technology
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides a variety of assistive technology services and devices for general and special education eligible students. Assistive technology assessments are conducted as needed to enable students with impairments to progress in the general curriculum or to communicate orally or in written form.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's case manager. Should additional information be needed, the supervisor of your child's program may also be contacted.
Director of Preschool Special Education Programs
Nancy Ely
Phone: (734) 419-2630
FAX: (734) 595-2573
E-mail: ElyN@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail (734) 419-2198 mailbox 2648#
Director of Elementary School Special Education Programs
Kathleen Said
Phone: (734) 419-2070
FAX: (734) 595-2081
E-mail: SaidK@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail: (734) 419-2198 mailbox 2073#
Director of Secondary Special Education Programs
Dyanne Hildebrandt
Phone: (734) 419-2068
E-mail: HildebrantD@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail: (734) 419-2198 mailbox 2065#
Transition
Wayne-Westland Community Schools provides transition services to special education eligible students. All special education eligible students 14 years of age or older, will have a written transition plan attached to their individualized educational plan (IEP). School staff will assist both the student and her/his parents in completing surveys and interviews, setting goals, developing and implementing the educational and transition plans necessary to meet the life goals established by or on behalf of the student.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's case manager. Should additional information be needed, the supervisor of your child's program may also be contacted.
Director of Secondary Special Education Programs
Dyanne Hildebrandt
Phone: (734) 419-2068
E-mail: HildebrantD@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail: (734) 419-2198 mailbox 2065#
Health Services
Wayne-Westland Community Schools maintains health services for general and special education eligible students. Health services assist students and staff in maintaining communicable disease immunization and reporting requirements. Special education school program nurses author Individualized Health Care plans as needed to support students' unique health issues by providing safe school environments.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's case manager (contact your child's school office). Should additional information be needed, the coordinator of health services may also be contacted.
Director of Health Services
Nancy Ely
Phone (734) 419-2645
FAX: (734) 595-2573
E-mail: elyn@wwcsd.net
Voice Mail: (734) 419-2198 mail box 2648#
Sandra Sands - Secretary
Phone: (734) 419-2068
FAX: (734) 595-2081
E-mail: sandss@wwcsd.net
Voice mail (734) 419-2198 voice mail box 2068#
Section 504 Services
Wayne-Westland Community Schools maintains Section 504 services for eligible students. Staff typically works with students and parents in making reasonable accommodations designed to promote student success. Occasionally there are differences regarding the level of intervention needed for students to meet the expectations of parents and staff. Each building has a Section 504 team trained to determine eligibility and to develop accommodation plans for implementation as appropriate.
Contacts
Initial questions or concerns should be addressed to your child's principal (elementary) or counselor (secondary). Should additional information be needed, the coordinator of Section 504 may also be contacted.
Coordinator of Section 504
Charley Hallman
Phone: (734) 419-2068
FAX: (734) 595-2573
E-mail: hallmanc@wwcsd.net
POHI Outreach
Wayne-Westland Community Schools operate the Wayne RESA Western Region Physically or Otherwise Health Impaired (POHI) Outreach program. This program is designed to meet the needs of special education eligible students who have significant educational issues due to their physical impairment.
Teacher Consultants, Occupational and/or Physical Therapists from the POHI Outreach program support the educational needs of eligible students in their neighborhood school. Outreach staff consults with building staff to facilitate access to the building and within classrooms. While some students get direct therapy services, the goal of these interventions is to enable the student to participate in their educational program and to make progress on their educational goals in the general curriculum.
Contacts
Carla Nixdorf - Teacher Consultant
E-mail: nixdorfc@wwcsd.net
Voice mail: (734) 419-2198 voice mail box 7464#
Jacqueline Shipley - Teacher Consultant
E-mail: shipleyj@wwcsd.net
Voice mail: (734) 419-2198 voice mail box 2231#
Pamela Smith - Teacher Consultant and Department Chair
E-mail: smithp@wwcsd.net
Voice mail: (734) 419-2198 voice mail box 7468#
Sandra Sands - Secretary
Phone (734) 419-2209
FAX (734) 595-2476
E-mail: sandss@wwcsd.net
Voice mail: (734) 419-2198 voice mail box 2209#
Family Matters Fact Sheets
The Office of Special Education (OSE) has five new Family Matters fact sheets.
Family Matters fact sheets provide parents and families with information about special education. Each fact sheet explains a different topic and provides additional resources.
Download these and other fact sheets from the Family Matters section on the OSE website.
- Individualized Education Program fact sheet
- Initial Evaluation for Special Education fact sheet (English, Arabic, and Spanish)
- Seclusion and Restraint fact sheet (English, Arabic, and Spanish)
- Section 504 Plans (English, Arabic, and Spanish)
- Special Education Problem Solving (English, Arabic, and Spanish)
Contact Information
Forms for Parents​
Special Ed Programs
Special Ed Programs (Arabic)
Special Ed Programs (Spanish)
Parent Information
Commonly Used Acronyms
PAC 2017-2018 Calendar of Topics
Parent Handbook
Parent Organizations
Procedural Safeguards
Medicaid - School-Based Health Services
Links of Interest
Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education / Early Intervention Services
OSE Family Matters
Wayne RESA Special Education and Early Intervention Services
Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Determinations
The Wayne-Westland Community Schools follows the Wayne RESA model process for "Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Determinations. For more information, please visit Wayne RESA.
RESA Contacts
Wayne RESA
Phone (734) 344-1300 or resa.net
Wayne County Parent Advisory Committee
Phone: (734) 334-1487
FAX: (734) 334-1494
Michigan Department of Education
Office of Special Education / Early Intervention Services
Phone: (517) 373-9433 or https://michigan.gov/mde