Special Education Terms in Wisconsin
What special education terms does Wisconsin use?
Wisconsin uses terminology largely aligned with federal IDEA, with several important state-specific distinctions. Wisconsin uses 'Emotional Behavioral Disability' (EBD) rather than the federal 'Emotional Disturbance' — a meaningful difference because Wisconsin's EBD criteria are more stringent (three-setting requirement; licensed mental health professional diagnosis for sudden-onset EBD) (Wis. Admin. Code PI 11.36(7)). Wisconsin uses 'cognitive disability' rather than 'intellectual disability' in its statutes (Wis. Stat. § 115.76(5)(a)). The IEP team is called the 'IEP team,' consistent with federal terminology (Wis. Stat. § 115.78). Wisconsin's state education agency is the 'Department of Public Instruction (DPI),' specifically the 'Division for Learning Support' within DPI. Wisconsin has 12 regional 'Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs)' created under Wis. Stat. § 116.01 that provide contracted special education services and professional development to member districts. Wisconsin DPI guidance sometimes uses 'Individualized Transition Plan (ITP)' as informal shorthand for the transition component of the IEP, though the legal document remains the IEP. The 'Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS)' is Wisconsin's branded free mediation program. The 'Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA)' provides impartial hearing officers for due process hearings under contract with DPI.
What Wisconsin Requires
Emotional Behavioral Disability (EBD): Wisconsin's term for the federal 'Emotional Disturbance' — with more stringent multi-setting and clinical diagnosis requirements (Wis. Admin. Code PI 11.36(7)).
Cognitive disability: Wisconsin's statutory term for intellectual disability (Wis. Stat. § 115.76(5)(a)).
IEP team: Wisconsin uses the federal term; membership is defined in Wis. Stat. § 115.78 and includes parents, regular and special education teachers, LEA representative, evaluation interpreter, and the student when appropriate.
Department of Public Instruction (DPI) / Division for Learning Support: Wisconsin's state education agency and its special education division, which administers Wis. Admin. Code PI 11 and provides oversight, technical assistance, and dispute resolution.
Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs): 12 regional educational service agencies under Wis. Stat. § 116.01 that provide contracted special education services, professional development, and support to member districts — especially valuable for rural and small districts.
WSEMS (Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System): Wisconsin's free, voluntary mediation program for special education disputes (Wis. Stat. § 115.797).
Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA): the state agency providing impartial hearing officers for special education due process under contract with DPI.
ITP (Individualized Transition Plan): informal DPI guidance terminology for the transition component of the IEP; the legal document remains the IEP.
Key Timelines
No unique terminology-related timelines; see evaluation, IEP, transition, and dispute resolution topics for all applicable Wisconsin timelines.