April 21, 2026

DLM, Forward, and PreACT Secure Test Windows Extended to May 1

The test windows for DLM, the Forward Exam, and the PreACT Secure have been extended by one week, now running through May 1. The DPI is making this adjustment to ensure schools and districts affected by severe weather events last week have sufficient time to complete required testing.

Thank you to the districts that reached out regarding these challenges, and to all educators and staff for your continued commitment to ensuring students can meaningfully participate in statewide assessments under difficult circumstances.

Please contact DPIOSAmail@dpi.wi.gov with any questions regarding the test window.

Crisis Response Resources for Schools Following Recent Storms

Severe storms, heavy rainfall, and flooding across Wisconsin have impacted many school communities. As districts respond and recover, access to timely, practical support can make a difference for both operations and wellbeing.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of School Safety has a dedicated crisis response resource hub for schools available on its website.

Available supports include:

• Critical Incident Response teams (on-site or virtual assistance)
• Crisis communication guidance for staff, students, and families
• Mental health and trauma support resources
• Tools for short- and long-term recovery planning

Direct support is also available at 1-800-697-8761.

Update: Federal Accessibility Deadline Extended One Year

The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday extended the ADA Title II digital accessibility compliance deadline by one year for state and local governments, including school districts.

Districts and public entities serving populations of 50,000 or more now have until April 26, 2027, to comply, while smaller districts and special-purpose entities now have until April 26, 2028.

These requirements apply to websites, mobile applications, and digital content, which must meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.

While this federal deadline has been extended, the Department of Public Instruction remains fully committed to meeting accessibility standards. The DPI continues to encourage districts to plan for training, vendor engagement, and content review. Key actions include:

• Reviewing the DOJ’s guidance at ADA.gov
• Assessing digital content and platforms for accessibility
• Training staff on creating accessible classroom and communication materials
• Engaging vendors to ensure WCAG 2.1 AA compliance

Prioritizing updates to high-use digital resource

Help Shape Wisconsin’s Portrait of a Graduate: Listening Sessions Begin Next Week

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 begin next week and will be held across all 12 CESAs in April and May. Three virtual options are also available, including one asynchronous module that can be completed at any time.

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.