In 2002 the Department of Public Instruction was awarded this five year $6.5 Million dollar State Improvement Grant.  The SIG was designed as a systemic change initiative and continues to bring together educational leaders, school staff, parents and community members, as well as institutes of higher education, CESA’s and other agencies around a common “vision” to improve the outcomes and opportunities for students with disabilities from birth -21. Individuals from 52 agencies and organizations are partners in sharing responsibility for the “vision” of the SIG and meeting our “SIG 5 year Outcomes.”  In addition, our state SIG has also become one of the ways the Department of Public Instruction provides the support schools and communities need in order to meet the indicators and rigorous targets set in our State Performance Plan required as part of the reauthorization of IDEA in 2004.

We have analyzed the data, identified barriers, and developed the plan and now look forward to sharing evidence based best practices, and partnerships that will help us improve outcomes for all students.