The state of Wisconsin has determined criteria that a student must meet to qualify for speech/language services within the schools. Schools must offer services to those meeting the criteria from ages 3-21.
When a parent or teacher expresses concerns about a child's speech/language skills a certified S/L therapist will often begin with a screening. After meeting the child the therapist will then make a recommendation to proceed with a full evaluation or say that the child's skills appear to be age-appropriate. The referral for an evaluation begins the special education process that creates an Individual Education Plan (IEP) Team.
The certified therapist will do appropriate testing with the student to see if he/she meets the state's criteria. The state criteria states that a student must have a significant delay in the specified skill area (usually 1.75 standard deviations below average) to qualify for services in the schools. For more detailed information on the criteria please refer to the following website: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsea/een/speech.html
11/19/04 KS