The Final Report - Malcolm Shabazz City High School, Madison WI

INSTRUCTION – SPECIAL EDUCATION (cont.)It is difficult to anticipate the student impact of a reduction in student teacher ratios. No data areavailable on the effect such a change would have on student outcomes. However, student impactcould be minimized through additional assistance provided to principals from EducationalServices in assigning caseloads to special education teachers. (Note: the department has aninitiative underway to ensure that best practices in assigning caseloads are in place).The correlation of this decision to the District’s strategic priority should be considered, as specialeducation teachers deliver curriculum and instruction (3) a strategic priority. Also forconsideration is the fact that, while special education services are mandated, DPI does notprovide any caseload guidance or minimums/maximums for special education teachers. The onlyguidance is comparison with other districts such as that depicted above, which indicate thatMadison Metropolitan School District has historically had one of the lowest ratios in the state.Virchow, Krause & Co. LLP Page 155March 11, 2002