Early Childhood Special Education provides special education services for children age 3 through 5 years of age who qualify according to the state and federal law under one or more disability areas. 

How is a child identified as having Special Education Needs?

Upon request, the Lake Mills Area School District is required to evaluate a child for eligibility for special education services.  A request for evaluation is known as a referral.  When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine if the child has a disability, and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.

A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.  Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made.

Others, including parents, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.

Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability.  A referral may be made by contacting Melissa Brown, Special Education Director of Lake Mills Area School District, by phone (920)648-2474,in writing at 120 E. Lake Park Place, Lake Mills, WI  53551, or Email

Once a referral has been submitted, an evaluation is completed by the Early Childhood Special Education Staff. These individuals may include a school psychologist, early childhood special education teacher, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech/language clinician, teacher of deaf and hard of hearing, an/or teacher of the visually impaired. Areas of  development considered for evaluation may include social/emotional, cognitive, adaptive, communication, fine and/or gross motor skills.

Once the evaluation is complete, the evaluation team will share their findings with the parents/guardians.  If significant delays are identified and the child qualifies for special education services, an individual educational plan (IEP) is developed. The IEP will contain specific goals to address the child's developmental needs. Once the IEP is completed, placement options and the best location for the child to receive services will be discussed.