The Madison Metropolitan School District is intent on increasing the participation of scholars with an IEP in the planning and and running of their meetings. By increasing scholar involvement, research indicates our scholars are more likely to engage in school and accomplish short and long term goals to help them achieve their dreams. We will present rationale from the literature, share tools that can be useful, and discuss professional learning to support teacher capacity.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the benefits of involving scholars in theIEP process
• Learning about tools and resources available toincrease scholar participation in their IEP meetings
• Considering professional learning and skill building forteachers 

Presenter: Nancy Farnon Molfenter is the Associate Superintendent of Student Services with the Madison Metropolitan School District. In this role, she is responsible for higher level coordination and communication related to the delivery of high-quality education services to students with an IEP (Individual Education Program) or 504 Plan and their families, the delivery of social and emotional supports, and advanced learning services. Prior to working for MMSD, she was on the Special Education Team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and worked for the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Nancy holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin Madison and continues to serve as an adjunct instructor for the University of Wisconsin system.