Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
Timely Information
Survey to find Wisconsin School Personnel Interested in Graduate Coursework in the Area of Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (CVRT)
At this time, Northern Illinois University (NIU) are identifying who is interested in an opportunity for virtual certification for TVIs and CVRTs and where in Wisconsin they live to determine when and where the first NIU cohort of this kind could be offered in Wisconsin. The Northern Illinois University (NIU) Vision Studies Program is working with partners in the state of Wisconsin to explore offering graduate coursework in the area of Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (CVRT). The classes would be offered through a combination of online and in-person coursework in the state of Wisconsin. Within the state of Wisconsin, there is no TVI personnel preparation program, and there is no CVRT personnel preparation program. NIU has a longstanding (60+ year) Vision Studies program that prepares professionals to meet the personnel shortage in the areas of TVI and CVRT. No prior education or background in the area of Vision Studies is required. An undergraduate degree of any kind is required but no prior education or background requirements other than that. Link to NIU Interest Survey Link. Please complete this survey by January 30.
Resources
Resource Reminder: Providing Language Assistance to Families
Wisconsin DPI receives inquiries and public comment related to requirements for language interpretation at Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meetings and translation of documents such as a student’s IEP. In addition, questions arise related to support that may be required when a parent has a communications-related disability. The following resource provides information on requirements for those parents that may require language assistance. Providing Language Assistance to Parents. This resource is also available in Spanish, Asistencia a los Padres con el Idioma. In addition, DPI partners with Wisconsin FACETS to provide training for home language interpreters with both virtual and in-person training coming up in February and March. Go to the WI FACETS Training for Home Language Interpreters page for more information.
Other DPI News
Ed Leaders Dispatch, January 20, 2026
- ESEA Distribution of Qualified Teachers: District Notifications Sent
- Early Literacy Coaching Program Update: Applications Open Through January 29
- Wisconsin DHS Affirms No Changes to School Vaccine Requirements
- Aid for School Mental Health Programs: Claim Forms Due March 16, 2026
- ELEVATE Wisconsin® Financial Wellness Champion Training Program
- After School Crossing Guard Recognition Week: Feb. 16-20, 2026
Connect-Ed
- DHS Continues to Endorse Childhood Vaccine Recommendations of American Academy of Pediatrics
- 2026 Play Make Learn Conference is Now Accepting Proposals
- Wisconsin Students Earn Top Spot in Prestigious Senate Youth Program
- Summer Food Service Program Seeking Sponsors to Provide Meals to Children
- ‘Music is Universal’: When Wisconsin Art Travels the World
News Releases
- Two Wisconsin Schools Receive National Recognition for Academic Achievement
DAC Digest, January 21, 2026
Upcoming Learning Events
02/04/2026: February Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy
02/19/2026: UDL Conference 2026 updated registration flier
February 23-24, Federal Funding Conference, Kalahari, WI Dells (in-person)
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.
|
