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Director of Special Education and Pupil Services  

Timely Information

Help Shape Wisconsin’s Portrait of a Graduate through Listening Sessions  

Two more listening sessions are available including an in-person listening session in CESA 1 on May 18^th (6:00 – 7:30) and a virtual listening session on May 27^th (12:00-1:00) as well as one asynchronous module that can be completed at any time. The Department of Public Instruction is developing a Wisconsin Portrait of a Graduate, a statewide vision for the knowledge, skills, and mindsets students need after high school, regardless of their pathway. To ensure this work reflects voices from across the state, the DPI is gathering input from students, educators, families, and community members. Listening sessions have begun and continue across all 12 CESAs through May. Find a full list of dates and locations of listening sessions in this flyer. These sessions will introduce the vision and invite feedback on the skills and dispositions that should be included in Wisconsin’s Portrait of a Graduate. Please share this opportunity with staff, students, families, and community partners to encourage broad participation. For more information and updates on the Portrait of a Graduate, visit the DPI’s website. 

Employment Outreach Mini-Grant Opportunity! 

Are you interested in increasing competitive integrated employment (CIE) opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? If so, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities wants to partner with you! The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, in partnership with InControl WI, will provide grant funds to schools, organizations, associations, or businesses to do three outreach activities, including a community conversation. These activities will build awareness about CIE and increase job opportunities. Visit the BPPD Employment Outreach website application for more information. Deadline to apply: Friday, May 22, at 5p.m. Contact Molly Cooney at molly.cooney@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-0266 with any questions. 

Resources

Save the Date: 2026-27 Functional Behavior Assessment Learning Events 

FBA 101: The Essentials of Conducting an FBA: Are you newer to conducting Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs)? This full-day learning event is an introduction to FBAs and focuses on building readiness for conducting an FBA, the components of an effective FBA, and the basics of behavioral data collection. Teams are encouraged to attend together when possible.  

To register, visit the CESA 1 Registration webpage.   

• CESA 2 - September 15, 2026                                               

• CESA 3 - September 17, 2026  

• CESA 1 - September 22, 2026 

• CESA 6 - September 25, 2026 

• CESA 12 - October 6, 2026 

• CESA 11 - October 8, 2026 

• CESA 7 - October 19, 2026        

• CESA 8 - October 21, 2026 

• CESA 5 - October 27, 2026                       

• CESA 9 - November 4, 2026 

• CESA 10 - November 11, 2026                                            

• CESA 4 - November 17, 2026 

Beyond the FBA Basics: Enhanced Data Collection Methods and Application: You’ve attended the FBA 101 event or had some FBA experience but would benefit from more?  This full-day learning event focuses on in-depth data collection processes, building and using the FBA results to inform both the IEP and the BIP, and culturally responsive practices. 

Registration details are coming soon.  Save the date! 

• CESA 3 - January 14, 2027                                                      

• CESA 1 - January 19, 2027  

• CESA 6 - January 21, 2027                                       

• CESA 2 - January 26, 2027 

• CESA 7 - February 2, 2027                                        

• CESA 8 - February 3, 2027 

• CESA 5 - February 9, 2027                                        

• CESA 9 - February 10, 2027  

• CESA 10 - February 24, 2027 

• CESA 4 - February 25, 2027                                    

• CESA 12 - April 13, 2027 

• CESA 11 - April 14, 2027 

Registration details are coming soon and will be posted on the DPI Functional Behavioral Assessment Resources webpage.  If you have questions, please email Katherine Smith at ksmith@cesa1.k12.wi.us 

Other DPI News

Ed Leaders Dispatch, May 12^th, 2026

• K-12 Funding Proposal Announced
• Early Literacy Diagnostic Assessment Reimbursement (ELDAR) Now Open
• Required Annual Act 20 Data Collection Now Open
• Early College Credit Program (ECCP) Tuition Reimbursement Claims Open May 30-July 15
• Feeback Requested WISELearn Survey
• Reminder: America 250 Statutory Requirement

News Releases 

• State Superintendent Dr. Underly Suprises Five Educators as 2026-27 Teachers of the Year, May 12^th, 2026
• State Superintendent Names Pilgrim Park Middle School Teacher as 2026-27 Teacher of the Year During Surprise Visit, May 11^th, 2026
• State Superintendent Praises Bipartisan Deal to Invest in Wisconsin Kids and Schools, Urges Continued Momentum, May 11^th, 2026

DAC Digest, May 13^th, 2026

Upcoming Learning Events

Recurring Events 

Early Learning Technical Assistance and Implementation Professional Learning Opportunities  

Monthly, every third Wednesday, 12:30-1:15: Specific Learning Disabilities Community of Practice registration link  

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.