Updated Information Regarding Waivers Related to COVID-19
The information below applies to regular public schools. Charter schools may contact charterschools@dpi.wi.gov . Information about waivers for Choice schools can be found here: https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/choice-programs/school-information. Other private schools may contact Janice Zmrazek.
Instructional Hours Waiver for the 2019-20 School Year
Governor Tony Evers signed Emergency Order #10, which suspends requirements in administrative rule related to the waiving of the hours of instruction, on March 21. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is now able to provide an expedited waiver process for the instructional hours requirement for the 2019-20 school year via a simple form. DPI will approve all such requests.
Per state law, school boards will still need to hold a public hearing [s.118.38 (1) (b)] and document the date of the public hearing in the form to receive a waiver. The public hearing can be virtual or teleconferenced. Please see the Wisconsin Department of Justice guidance on public meetings during this public health emergency.
If you have any questions, please contact Tamara Mouw, Director of Teaching and Learning, at tamara.mouw@dpi.wi.gov.
Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System Waiver for the 2019-20 School Year
The Legislature developed the 20 Wisconsin Education Standards found in Wisconsin Administrative Code sec. PI 8.01, which establish minimum expectations for each school district. Standard 17 requires each school district to evaluate all licensed school personnel in their “first year of employment and, at least, every third year thereafter.” Wis. Stat. § 115.415 requires the specific process by which all Wisconsin districts meet the requirements listed in PI 8 for principals and teachers--the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has provided guidance for how to complete the 2019-20 Educator Effectiveness Cycle for Summary Year educators here. If necessary, DPI will waive the requirements to complete an Educator Effectiveness Cycle for educators in their Summary Year in 2019-20, thereby waiving the requirements to meet PI 8.01 and Wis. Stat. § 115.415 for 2019-20. Here is the link to the Educator Effectiveness Waiver form: https://forms.gle/B2fkkTg6QPPFzVKKA.
If you have any questions, please contact Katie Rainey, Director of Educator Development and Support, at katharine.rainey@dpi.wi.gov.
Civics Graduation Requirement Waiver for the 2019-20 School Year
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some students may not have passed the graduation requirement before Wisconsin schools were closed by Governor Tony Evers on March 18, 2020, which may prohibit their ability to graduate in 2020. To learn more about resources and a waiver for this requirement, go to the Wisconsin Civics Graduation Requirement web page.
Waiver and Alternative Compliance Information
Exemptions from School Start Date Law
For information about one-year exemptions from the school start date law, please see Commencement of School Term (School Start Date) Information.
Waivers
For the most up-to-date information about waivers, please see Wis. Stat. sec. 118.38 Waivers of laws and rules.
Alternative Compliance
For the most up-to-date information about alternative compliance, please see Wis. Admin. Code sec. PI 8.01(3) Alternative Compliance.
After completing all steps required under statute and administrative code (linked to above), send waiver and alternative compliance requests to Chris Tiedje.