Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
Timely Information
Encourage Your School Communities to Sign up to DPI Email Lists
Did you know that DPI has emails lists on a variety of special education and pupil services topics including early childhood special education, occupational therapists and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, assistive technology, Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project, school nursing and school health, school counseling, school social workers, school psychology, health and physical education teachers, early literacy and act 20, bilingual education, supporting advanced learners, American Indian Studies, GED, HSED, and alternative education, and many more. Just send individuals to the DPI Email Lists webpage and choose from any number of email lists to get timely information on a variety of topics.
New Initiative for 4K Providers Launching in 2026-27
Get Kids Ready is a new initiative that was included in Wisconsin’s 2025-27 biennial budget intended to support licensed or certified childcare providers. This initiative will be implemented by the Department of Children and Families in partnership with the DPI. Launching July 1, 2026, Get Kids Ahead supports licensed or certified childcare providers serving 4-year-olds who do not contract with LEAs. For details and FAQs, visit the Get Kids ready section on the DCF’s 2025-27 Biennial Budget webpage.
Survey Input for Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS)
Wisconsin is updating the Model Early Learning Standards through the Wisconsin Early Learning and Development Guidelines Revision Project. Please share this opportunity with those utilizing WMELS in your school community including families, educators, administrators, and community engagement partners. The survey takes about 15 minutes: Link to take the statewide survey. Your feedback will help Wisconsin identify what’s working in WMELS, what’s missing or outdated, as well as formats and tools that would make the next version most useful. Learn more: Early Learning and Development Guidelines Revision Project. Questions or help? Contact carrie.germeroth@marzanoresearch.com.
New Resources
Update to Shortened School Day Bulletin
The department recently added Question 13 to its Shortened Day Bulletin 24.01 clarifying that the shortened day requirements do not apply to students with IEPs who stay in high school after their peers graduate (18-21 services). The IEP team must continue to determine the services an adult student needs to receive a free and appropriate public education, and the decision must be based on the individualized needs of the student. However, what their day looks like, including its length, may differ significantly from a traditional school day. For adult students who stay in high school after their peers graduate, this time may be used by some to finish credits toward graduation with a regular high school diploma, while for others, it may involve building skills as they transition to life after high school. Questions regarding this bulletin should be directed to the Special Education main line at 608-266-1781.
Other DPI News
EdLeaders Dispatch, September 30, 2025, DPI
- Federal Focus: Update on Federal Government Shutdown, New Initiative for 4K Providers Launching in 2026-27 (Get Kids Ready), Request for Feedback: Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards
DAC Digest, 10-02-2025, DPI
Upcoming Learning Events
Monthly October 2025 - March 2026 – Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Year Long Cohort
Second Tuesdays, 1-2pm: New School Social Worker Resource Sharing Sessions
October WSPEI virtual learning series for educators : Families as Partners
October WSPEI virtual learning series for families: A Seat at the Table: What It Really Means to Be on a Committee, Board, or Council
10/08/25 – Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Understanding "Sensory"
10/09-10/25 – CESA 6 Pathways to Success Advanced Training
10/13-14/25 – CESA 10 Pathways to Success Alternate Academic Achievement Standards and Assessment
10/14/25 – Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Taking a Deep Dive into Neurodiversity and Executive Functioning: What's the Support
10/14/25 - New School Nurse Orientation
10/15/25 – Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Flexibility: It's a Skill and Resilience: Coping and Relationships
10/23-25/24 - CESA 8 Pathways to Success Alternate Academic Achievement Standards and Assessment
11/11/25 – Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Flexibility: It's a Skill
11/17/25 – Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Social: The Hidden Curriculum and Communication: Untangling-Supporting Students with Higher Impact Needs
12/12/25 – Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Resilience: Coping and Relationships
For questions about this email list, please contact Daniel Parker, daniel.parker@dpi.wi.gov. Past updates for this email list can be found on the DPI Special Education Weekly News webpage.
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