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January 31, 2025

Friday, January 31, 2025
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Supporting Wisconsin Schools and Students Amid Recent Executive Orders: Key Updates and Resources

You are likely aware that new executive orders are being issued by the president frequently targeting K-12 education. As previously stated in the January 24 Ed Leaders Dispatch, the DPI is actively working on analyzing the various executive orders signed by the president and determining how they could impact the work of the agency and of Wisconsin schools and libraries.

The work of the DPI and schools is grounded in and supported by state statute and federal requirements and is not superseded by an executive order. We will not be distracted by political rhetoric that attempts to remove our focus from providing students with what they need in our schools and libraries.

We encourage you to work with your boards and communities to have a plan in place that supports all kids.

Find the DPI’s previous communication regarding the executive order on citizenship here.

Continue Reading: Supporting Wisconsin Schools

 

Extended to Feb. 28 – Annual Pupil Nondiscrimination and Educational Equity Report for 2023-24 School Year

We have been experiencing technical difficulties related to submitting the annual Pupil Nondiscrimination (PND) Compliance Report for 2023-24. Because of the delay, we are extending the deadline from January 31, 2025, to February 28, 2025.

The application is now available through WISEhome, through the following:

  • Access to the report is established by having role permissions in WISEhome through WISEsecure.
  • The Pupil Nondiscrimination Program Annual Compliance Report is now accessed through WISEhome.
  • Each school district must have an application administrator or a district administrator for the PND application in WISESecure. The user role for the application is District Administrator.
  • Need help setting up a role administrator or application user in WISEsecure? See the WISEhome and WISEsecure information page.

Instructions for compiling the required data and obtaining access to the reporting application are available on the DPI’s website.

We apologize for the delay and inconvenience. If you have comments, questions, or concerns about the report, please contact the DPI’s special education team at 608-266-1781. Thank you for your efforts in completing this report.

 

FAFSA Student Filing Status Available in WISEdash for Districts

Access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion status for 12th graders is now available in WISEdash for Districts. The U.S. Department of Education gives states limited access to student level FAFSA application status data to designated staff who have a legitimate educational interest in the data shared in the agreement. The DPI encourages districts to grant school counselors and homeless liaisons the role of “Detail FAFSA Access” or “Economic FAFSA Access” in WISEdash for Districts so they can support students in completing and filing the FAFSA. District FAFSA Data Sharing Agreements are required to access the data. An agreement needs to be submitted once to the DPI and does not need to be resubmitted each year.

Below are resources to assist with submitting a Data Sharing Agreement and accessing the FAFSA filing status data.

As of mid-January, 22 percent of Wisconsin high school seniors filed a FAFSA, down from the same time last year and below the national average of 23 percent. Additional resources to support students with completing the FAFSA and realizing their post-secondary plans, can be found on the DPI FAFSA webpage. The FAFSA Student Assistance Resources provides support to students as they navigate the FAFSA application and filing process. College Goal Wisconsin FAFSA Completion Events are being hosted on site and virtually. Students are encouraged to attend an event being hosted at their school or in a neighboring district.

Please contact Andréa Donegan, DPI school counseling consultant via email at andrea.donegan@dpi.wi.gov with questions about the Data Sharing Agreement, or available FAFSA resources.

Wisconsin’s Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week

You are invited to participate in Wisconsin’s Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week during the week of February 17-21, 2025.

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly encourages your participation in the 2025 Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition initiative. Each day, dedicated adult crossing guards across Wisconsin show up at their assigned crossings to assist students in their journey to or from school.

Here is a copy of an idea sheet and also copy of Dr. Underly’s 2025 Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week proclamation. The idea sheet can help stimulate your creativity in determining how your school, students, parent organizations, and community might show your recognition of and appreciation for those adults who serve as crossing guards in your area. Online versions of the 2025 Crossing Guard Recognition materials on the DPI’s Alcohol/Traffic Safety and Driver Education website.

This recognition event was developed through a collaborative partnership of agencies and organizations representing the state, county, and local levels. Members of the partnership include AAA Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, Wisconsin Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association, Wisconsin Highway Safety Coordinator’s Association, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Please direct questions to the Student Services/Prevention and Wellness (SSPW) team at (608) 266-8960 or dpisspw@dpi.wi.gov. Thank you for your effort to make February 17-21, 2025, a special week for the adult crossing guards serving your school.