Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
Timely Information
50 Years of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Center for Exceptional Children: On November 29th, 2025, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) honored its 50th anniversary since President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act into law in 1975. Today, more than 8 million infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education thanks to IDEA. The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) celebrates 50 years of IDEA with videos, blogs, and podcasts. There is also an IDEA 50 Year Anniversary Social Media Toolkit available through CEC. The two-and-a-half-minute video can be shared with your school communities to highlight the importance of IDEA through a historical context. Go to the CEC IDEA 50: Fifty Years of Inclusive Education webpage for more information and links.
Senate Resolution: On December 4, 2025, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the IDEA's 50th anniversary. This is not a law, but it is significant because it received unanimous support and reiterated the Senate's confirmation to the IDEA. Access the resolution here.
New Resources
New Updates from the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA)
Two new AWSA Update Articles focus on the role of the local education agency representative and IEP development. The October AWSA update article featured information about providing Specially Designed Instruction in Inclusive School Settings. The November issue highlighted Tips for Serving as the Local Education Agency Representative on IEP Teams. Upcoming articles will continue to spotlight special education topics. Check them out!
Resource Reminder
Check out these resources that came out in the last few months from the DPI.
Other DPI News
Ed Leaders Dispatch, December 09, 2025
- Medicaid School-Based Services (SBS) Updates
- Xello Selected as Wisconsin’s Academic and Career Planning Software (2026-2031)
- AP Business with Personal Finance – Key Information
- Improved Professional Learning Opportunities Coming in 2026
- Invitation to Join the Teacher Voice and Leadership Working Group
Connect-Ed
- Celebrate Wisconsin’s Native American Heritage Year-Round
- Explore the DPI’s Strategic Plan Priority Areas
- New Report Shows Impact of Wisconsin’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers
DAC Digest, December 10, 2025
Upcoming Learning Events
01/07/2026- January Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy
02/04/2026- February Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy
03/04/2026- March Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy
04/08/2026- April Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy
05/06/2026- May Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy
04/23-25, 2026: Autism Society’s 37th Annual Conference
Recurring Events
1/22/26, 2/19/26, 3/19/26, 4/16/26: Functional Behavioral Assessment Community of Practice
Monthly, every third Wednesday, 12:30-1:15: Specific Learning Disabilities Community of Practice registration link
November 2025 - January 1, 2026: 2025 WI CEC ON Demand Conference, Synergy: The Power of Working Together
Monthly October 2025 - March 2026: Supporting Neurodiverse Students: Year Long Cohort
Second Tuesdays, 1-2pm: New School Social Worker Resource Sharing Sessions
Ongoing in-person events through January: Big Feelings, Bright Futures: Understanding, Responding, and Teaching Emotional Skills in Early Childhood, Early Learning Technical Assistance and Implementation Project
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 Weekly News webpage.
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