Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
Timely Information
Funding Opportunity to Support Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired
The Glen Stacey Memorial fund was created in 1988, in honor of former Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WSBVI) student, Glen Stacey. The funds may be used for equipment, programming, and projects that will directly benefit K-12 students who are blind and visually impaired and reside in Wisconsin. These activities may not include items or services that school districts are required to provide per a student's IEP. The fund is administered through the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WCBVI). The Glen Stacey Memorial Fund Committee will accept proposals for funding beginning March 16, 2026! If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please be on the lookout for when the application window opens, as well as more details. Feel free to check the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired website for more information!
Safety on the Spectrum™: Autism-informed De-escalation Training for School Resource Officers
The Autism Society of Wisconsin invites School Resource Officers to join a virtual training session on March 10 from 9:00-11:00. School Resource Officers (SRO) are often first responders inside our schools. Are we equipping them with the right tools to support students with Autism and developmental disabilities? This live session will equip SROs with practical tools to better recognize, understand, and respond to students with Autism and other developmental disabilities, including:
- Information on how Autism impacts a student
Additional information and registration can be found on the Autism Society of Wisconsin events webpage.
Transition Readiness Grant Application Now Available!
The online application for the 2026-27 Transition Readiness Grant awards is now available on the TRG webpage. School districts and charter schools under Wis. Stat. 118.40(2r) and (2x) are eligible to compete for funding that supports evidence-based practices related to the successful transition from high school for students with IEPs. The $1.5 million fund will support:
- Transportation Options (including contracted services or vehicle purchases)
- Competitive Integrated Employment Training (CIE) Programs
- Post-secondary Tuition/Supports for Students
- Transition Training for Staff Members
Save the date for the virtual Q&A session to be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Click here to register for this webinar. The Q&A webinar will be recorded and posted on the TRG webpage approximately one week after the session. Applications are due by Friday, May 1, 2026.
New Resources
Resource Reminder: AT Forward
The Assistive Technology (AT) Forward Project Reaches 500 Micro-Credentials. The AT Forward Project is a contracted collaboration between Wisconsin DPI and CESA 2 It includes the Assistive Technology Lending Center (ATLC), Accessible Education Materials (AEM) Center, the statewide Assistive Technology Community of Practice and micro-credentials. The AT Forward Project supports educators, practitioners, caregivers and families to increase student autonomy by utilizing Assistive Technology tools to support access, engagement, and progress in learning.
In February, AT Forward reached the milestone of 500 micro-credentials. Anyone can take advantage of these free modules that provide an opportunity for educators, teachers, parents, paraprofessionals, and related services providers to leverage anytime, anywhere, self-paced learning. There are 20 micro-credntials including Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Accessible Educational Materials, Early Childhood, AT for Administration and AT for Seating, Positioning and Mobility and many more
Other DPI News
Ed Leaders Dispatch, March 03, 2026
- WISEdash Public Portal Update: March 05, 2026
- Spring 2026 Wisconsin Statewide Assessments
- Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) Revision Update
Connect-Ed, March 03, 2026
- Play Make Learn 2026 Registration Opens
- Wisconsin State Parks Library Program Returns for 2026
- Celebrating National School Breakfast Week
- Historic $73.5 Million Distribution to Wisconsin Public Libraries
- Kicking Off Youth Art Month with Teachers Who Spark Creativity
News Releases
- Wisconsin’s On-Time Graduation Rate Climb to Record High, Mark Fourth Year of Growth, March 05, 2026
DAC Digest, March 05, 2026
ACT Updates, March 02, 2026
Upcoming Learning Events
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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