Holmen reports no ESSA identifications but flags disproportionality in special education

Holmen School District administrators presented the joint federal accountability packet required under ESSA and IDEA and told the board that none of the district’s schools met state or federal identification thresholds for support under ESSA.

Under IDEA compliance review, district staff reported that the district meets most requirements but has been identified for racial disproportionality: students who identify as multiracial were overrepresented in the 'other health impairment' special-education classification. Executive Director Jill Mason said the district completed a root-cause analysis and identified factors in evaluation processes and earlier tiers of intervention that likely contributed to the disparity.

Kim Edwards, Executive Director of Instructional Services, described the district’s plan to address the finding through systems change, culturally responsive instructional practices, social-emotional learning, and targeted professional development. She said the district will use Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCIS) flow-through funds (approximately $130,000) to support interventions and monitoring.

Board members asked about the statistical mechanics of disproportionate identification in small student groups; staff explained that formulaic thresholds can yield large proportional differences when subgroup counts are small and outlined ongoing monitoring and training efforts.

District staff said they expect to continue monitoring progress and return next year with progress updates. The item was presented as a report (no vote required).