Categorical Services

Wichita Public Schools offers two programs, called categorical services, for students with the greatest support needs.

Academic Life Skills

This supports students with the greatest needs who also have ongoing medical needs that require support during the school day. These are often students who are identifed as having one of the below:

• Autism
• Developmental delays
• Multiple disabilities
• Another health impairment
• A traumatic brain injury

Instruction provided for students served through an Academic Life Skills Program is based on the General Curriculum, the same Curriculum that applies to all students without disabilities. Significant modification of instructional materials is provided for students
served through an Academic Life Skills Program. An Academic Life Skills Program provides a highly structured and highly modified learning experience for students served through this program. The learning environment includes numerous and substantial accommodations and modifications that are provided for students. The accommodations and/or modifications provided for students served through the Academic Life Skills Program are substantially more intensive when compared to the accommodations and/or modifications typically provided for students served through the Interrelated Program and/or a Mixed Abilities Program.

Mixed Abilities

This supports students who require very substantial support. These are often students who are identified as having one of the below:

• Autism
• Developmental delays
• Intellecutal disabilities

Instruction provided for students served through a Mixed Abilities Program is based on the General Curriculum, the same Curriculum that applies to all students without disabilities. Significant modification of instructional materials often is provided for students served through a Mixed Abilities Program. A Mixed Abilities Program provides a highly structured and a highly modified learning experience for students served through this program. The accommodations and/or modifications provided for students through the Mixed Abilities Program are substantially more intensive when compared to what is typically provided for students served through the Interrelated Program.

How Schools Determine Program Placement

Decisions regarding special education services and special education placement should be made based on the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance of the student and what specially designed instruction is needed to afford the student their Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The determination of which special education program a student receives their special education services through should be made based on the specific and detailed information contained on the IEP and the knowledge and expertise of staff who work in a particular program. The determination that special education services are to be provided through a particular special education program should not be made based on the amount of special education time the student receives, a lack of staff in the current school setting to provide such service, and/or a lack of progress in the current  special education program.

Who to Contact with Questions

Dr. Justin Hawpe

Director of Categorical Programs

316-973-4716 or email

Julie Valentine

Administrative Assistant

316-973-4716 or email