June 23, 2023

1. 2023-24 Joint Federal Notification Release Timeline

Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reports will be available in February and April as part of the Joint Federal Notification (JFN) packet.

February reports will include preliminary:

• District Summary
• ESSA Accountability
• Progress to Exit with Exit Criterion 3 (for schools with CSI and ATSI identifications)
• LEA Determinations

April reports will include the final:

• District Summary
• ESSA Accountability
• Progress to Exit with Exit Criterion 3 (for schools with CSI and ATSI identifications)
• LEA Determinations
• Racial Equity in Special Education

This new schedule shortens the release timeline from six months to 6-8 weeks, minimizes redundancy, clarifies the secure nature of the preliminary reports, and continues to emphasize joint review of ESSA and IDEA reports. The earlier release of Progress to Exit Reports with Exit Criterion 3 also provides ESSA identification exit status to schools and districts several months earlier than the previous timeline.

If you have questions about ESSA accountability, please contact oeamail@dpi.wi.gov. For questions regarding IDEA accountability, please contact the Special Education team.

2. Recommendation from Wisconsin Council on Special Education when Planning for Professional Learning Needs in 2023-2024

Wisconsin DPI recognizes the unique challenges districts face in planning and implementing high quality professional learning to educators that provides services and support to students with disabilities. During this past school year, the Wisconsin Council on Special Education held numerous meetings to discuss recommendations on the types of professional learning needed so that students with disabilities can maximize their potential and receive the services that are required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The recommendations outline not just the topics of professional learning they feel would benefit educators the most to support student’s unique needs but also provided several recommendations on how professional learning should be provided.

Please see the following recommendations from the Wisconsin Council on Special Education as schools and districts are planning for the professional learning needs of personnel to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. The council’s recommendation includes an emphasis on shared professional learning between general and special educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, and pupil services. See all of the recommendations from the Council on Special Education by clicking on the January 20, 2023 Recommendation: Professional Learning to Support Students with Disabilities and Building the Capacity of General Education Teachers.