Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
Timely Information
Topics for Upcoming Specific Learning Disabilities Community of Practice Meetings
Mark your calendars for the next two meetings of the Specific Learning Disabilities Community of Practice. On March 18th Tanya Morin (dual language and bilingual education consultant) and Rose Kilmurray (special education consultant) will facilitate a discussion about comprehensive special education evaluation for multilingual learners. On April 15th, Eva Kubinski (special education consultant) will join the group for a discussion about exclusionary factors. Register for the entire series and attend the sessions that interest you.
WMELS Revision Update
The Department of Children and Families and its state partner agencies are revising the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS). Wisconsin partnered with Marzano Research to lead a public review of our state's early learning and development guidelines (ELDGs) from October through December 2025. The results are available in the Wisconsin ELDGs Revision Project Phase 1 Findings Brief. A Spanish version of this document is also available. In 2026, Marzano Research will lead development of the next version of our state’s ELDGs. Later in the year, DCF and its partners will invite the public to share feedback on a draft before it is published. Learn more at Wisconsin’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines Revision Project.
Resources
Resource Reminder: Seclusion and Physical Restraint
Wisconsin Statute 118.305 Pupil Restraint and Seclusion prohibits the use of seclusion or physical restraint by school staff except in very limited circumstances where a student’s behavior presents a clear, present, and imminent risk to the physical safety of students or school staff and it is the least restrictive intervention feasible. The DPI has a dedicated webpage that includes a summary of state law, reporting timelines, leveled supports for schools, tools and resources to support reduction, prevention resources, and data. See the DPI Seclusion and Physical Restraint webpage for information.
Other DPI News
News Releases
- State Superintendent Reacts to School Funding Challenge, February 24th
- State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly Kicks Off Public Schools Week in Wisconsin, February 23rd
DAC Digest, February 25th
ACT Updates, February 27th
Upcoming Learning Events
March 04, 2026: AT Forward CoP: Feature Matching Adaptive Living Skills (12-1 PM Virtual)
March 04, 2026: Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy (10 AM- 12PM Virtual)
March 04, 2026: Introduction to the WiTransition App. 2.0 (12- 1PM Virtual)
March 10, 2026: PTP for New Middle and High School Teachers (9 AM- 3PM In Person)
March 24, 2026: OT and PT CoP: Inclusive services breakout session- OT and PT specific conversations (3:30-4:30 Virtual)
March 24, 2026: Wrapping up with the Summary of Performance (SoP) (7:15-8 AM Virtual)
April 1st, 2026: Abacus and Learning Media Assessment Professional Development. Steven’s Point. Registration closes April 1st, (In-person)
April 08, 2026: Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy (9 AM- 12 PM Virtual)
April 09, 2026: Virtual: Technical Assistance for Indicator 14 and Low Response Rate (7:15- 8AM)
April 11, 2026 (10:00-4:00). Tactile Graphics Workshop. Wisconsin Rapids. Registration closes March 6th, (In-person)
April 14, 2026: Interactive and Personalized Literacy for Students Who are Deafblind (Virtual)
April 14, 2026: Best Practices in Transition Planning (9 AM – 3PM In Person)
April 23, 2026: Best Practices in Transition Planning (9 AM – 3PM In Person)
April 23-25, 2026: Autism Society’s 37th Annual Conference, Wisconsin Dells (In-Person)
April 28, 2026: AT Forward CoP: Coaching for Sustainable Assistive Technology Impact (12-1 PM Virtual)
May 05, 2026: OT and PT CoP: Breakout Sessions Hot Topics (3:30-4:30 Virtual)
May 05, 2026: WI Statewide Transition Networking – Educators Only (9 AM – 2:30PM In Person)
May 06, 2026: AT Forward CoP: Accessible Gadgets for Gamers: Evaluating and Applying Video Game Accessibility in Therapeutic Settings (12-1 PM Virtual)
May 06, 2026: Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy (10 AM- 12 PM Virtual)
Recurring Events
Early Learning Technical Assistance and Implementation Professional Learning Opportunities
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
DPI does not sponsor or endorse any external resources or events. They are provided for your consideration. 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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