Evaluation of the MPS Language! Program for Students with Disabilities

This project uses a mixed method approach to evaluate two reading programs for special education students in the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS): Language and Unique. All 3rd through 12th grade special education students in MPS not proficient on the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE) are enrolled in one of these programs.

The Language program exists in approximately 175 schools and the Unique program exists in approximately 69 schools.

The purpose of the research is to find out the effectiveness of these programs in increasing students' reading abilities, the level of fidelity of implementation of these programs, the districts' organizational alignment in regards to supporting these program, and how a performance management system could improve the programs.

Qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to measure these programs, including analysis of interviews, observations, surveys, program test data and standardized test data.