Overview
Jennifer Wolfsheimer, a national expert in disability rights and special education policy, has more than 20 years of experience in leading large-scale projects. Wolfsheimer specializes in building state educational agency staff capacity in special education data, dispute resolution, and supervision under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Leveraging her legal training, Wolfsheimer supports compliant implementation of statutes, regulations, and best practices to improve outcomes for students with disabilities from birth to age 21.
Specifically, Wolfsheimer assists state educational agencies in evaluating and enhancing their special education policies and procedures through her work with federally funded technical assistance centers, the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) and the IDEA Data Center (IDC). Wolfsheimer works with the 60 states and entities that receive IDEA funding regarding alignment of their special education monitoring and general supervision systems; IDEA dispute resolution system improvement and staff training; and IDEA data collection, analysis, reporting, and correction of noncompliance.
Prior to joining WestEd, Wolfsheimer worked for the U.S. Department of Education in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) where she led the team that carried out activities related to Part B and Part C State Performance Plans/Annual Performance Reports and the State Determinations process. Previously, Wolfsheimer was OSEP’s Dispute Resolution Lead, and she has led national monitoring activities focused on states’ dispute resolution policies and procedures and general supervision responsibilities under the IDEA.
Education
- JD, Syracuse University College of Law
- Certificate of Advanced Studies in Disability Studies, Disability Law and Policy Program, Syracuse University College of Law
- MS in cultural foundations of education, Syracuse University School of Education