LAKE MILLS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY 342.4 – PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AT RISK
The Boar shall develop plans to serve children in the District who are identified at risk.
“Children at risk” are students who are at risk of not graduating from high school.
All programs developed for children at risk shall be designed to:
1. Improve and expand educational opportunities for these children on an individualized
basis, through a variety of means;
2. Eliminate systemic barriers that may cause students’ success at school to become at risk;
3. Provide alternative courses, adaptive instructional strategies, and/or program
modifications which satisfactorily meet the school district graduation requirements;
4. Encourage parental involvement; and
5. Encourage cooperation with community support service agencies.
Students shall be identified and referred to these programs in accordance with state regulations
and guidelines established by the administration. The Lake Mills Area School district shall use
data for students in grades 5 to 12 to determine which students have the potential for not
graduating. A student is considered at risk of not graduating if he/she is a dropout (ceases to
attend school, does not attend a public or private district school or home-based private
educational program and does not have an acceptable excuse under §118.16 during current
and/or prior years until the end of the school year in which they turn 18), or are two or more of
the following:
1. One or more years behind in the number of high school credits earned, as defined by
falling 3 or more credits behind in progress toward graduation.
2. Two or more years behind in basic skill levels in mathematics and reading/English based
upon formal and informal assessment, consistent with the District’s essential learning
targets.
3. Habitually truant (10 or more days of unexcused absences from school in one year).
4. Pregnant or a parent of at least one child.
5. Adjudicated delinquent.
6. Currently (or has previously been) in jail or juvenile detention.
7. An 8th grade student whose score in each subject area on state tests was below the basic
level.
8. An 8th grade student who failed to be promoted to the 9th grade.
A child with a disability, as defined in §115.76 (5), will have the student’s needs addressed in the
individualized education program developed pursuant to §115.787, whenever that child is also
eligible to be served in a children at-risk program.
Students shall be identified through the District’s Problem Solving Team (PST) process in
accordance with state regulations and guidelines established by the administration. Students will
be identified based upon review of data as it becomes available; sources of data may include, but
are not limited to, academic achievement, behavioral records, teacher observations, parent
observations, previous or current evaluation results, and/or relevant outside agency reports.
Individualized plans will be developed describing how the District will meet the student’s needs.
Parents shall be notified in writing of their child’s identification as a student at risk. This
communication will include the reasons why the District believes the student may be at risk of
not graduating from high school along with contact information on who to contact to discuss
programming options. Parents shall be notified annually on or before September 1 or any time
the student is identified as being at risk.
The Lake Mills Area School District will ensure that programs and services for students
identified as being at risk are designed and administered to allow students to meet high school
graduation requirements under §118.33. Availability of such programs and/or services is subject
to change without prior notice and may not be available at all grade levels.
Parents may request at-risk services for their child. These requests can be made in writing on a
District provided form or can be received verbally. If an employee of the District receives a
verbal request, this person shall record the date and time of the verbal request and whether this
request was made in person or by phone.
Students officially identified as at risk may be enrolled in a District alternative education
program or service upon the written recommendation of the school counselor and with written
permission from the student and parent.
If the school board makes more than one alternative education program available, then the
counselor, student and parents may discuss the most appropriate placement if the student meets
the prerequisites for each program. No student is guaranteed placement in the alternative
program of choice. However, parents are encouraged to be involved in the placement process
and may also request a referral. If the District makes available more than one at-risk program,
the District shall enroll the student in the District program selected by the student or the student’s
parent if the prerequisites for that program are met.
Special Education and related services needs for a child with a disability, must be addressed first
in the child’s individualized education program developed pursuant to §115.787, whenever that
child is also eligible to be served in an alternative education program.
At the beginning or end of each school year, parents of students identified as at risk, will be
contacted in writing to determine the services available to their child.
Students shall meet quarterly with the school counselor and alternative education teacher to
evaluate progress in the program and address any changes that may need to take place.
Annually, the District shall review the progress of the plan for children at risk for the previous
year. Criteria for success may include the following:
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
An attendance rate of at least 70%.
Remained in school.

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Received a high school diploma.
Earned an appropriate number of credits as determined by the District’s graduation
requirements and/or promotion/retention policy.
Demonstrated, on formal or informal measures, gain in reading and mathematics
commensurate with the duration of his or her enrollment in the program.
If a parent and/or legal guardian disagree with any of the outlined services within their child’s
plan, they are encouraged to contact their school counselor and/or the District’s Director of
Learning and Student Services.
The District shall provide transportation to an alternative program in accordance with established
District policies. The District shall also provide transportation for students with disabilities in
accordance with applicable laws and as required by their individualized education programs
(IEP’s) or 504 plan.
The District shall take part, as feasible, in the National School Lunch and other food programs
which may become available in the endeavor to assure that all children in the District, including
those participating in an alternative education program, receive proper nourishment. Student
participation in the District’s food service program shall be in accordance with District
established procedures and policies.
The Lake Mills Area School District shall not discriminate in programs for children at risk on the
basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, color, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental
status, sexual orientation, age, homeless status, handicap or disability status.
Legal Ref.:
Sections 115.76(5), 115.787, 118.153, 118.16, 118.15(1)(d),
118.153(3)(c)1. and 2., 118.33, 121.02(1)(n) Wisconsin Statutes
PI 25 – Wisconsin Administrative Code
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
Cross Ref.:
345.6 – Graduation
Lake Mills Area School District Children At-Risk Plan
Approved: 1/13/14