The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) conducts formal investigations of licensed educators based on information received by the DPI that alleges immoral conduct on the part of the licensed educator. DPI typically receives this information through school district referrals, media reports, and individuals. Further information on how to submit information follows below.
School Districts
Under "license or permit revocation; reports; investigations,"(Wis. Stat. 115.31), school district administrators are required to report to the state superintendent the name of a person employed by the educational agency who meets the statutorily-defined criteria in Wis. Stat. 115.31. Districts should use the License Review Referral Form PI-1620 when submitting the report via email to olsinvestigator@dpi.wi.gov. In making a referral, please note the following:
- Educational agencies are required to include a complete copy of the licensee’s personnel file and all records related to any investigation of the licensee conducted by or on behalf of the educational agency when a referral to DPI is made - Wis. Stat. 115.31 (3).
- Wisconsin open records law specifically allows the transfer of a record by the administrator of an educational agency to the state superintendent of public instruction – Wis. Stat. 19.356 (2)(d).
- FERPA does not prohibit the release of the investigative materials to DPI, even if they contain student information.
Others Reporting Educator Misconduct
Any member of the public may report educator misconduct via email to olsinvestigator@dpi.wi.gov.
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Educator Misconduct Investigation Procedures
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In accordance with Wis. Stat. 115.31(6), upon receipt of a report from a school district administrator, the state superintendent shall:
- Verify the conviction if the report indicated that the person was convicted of a crime as defined in Wis. Stat. 115.31.
- Investigate to determine whether to initiate revocation proceedings.
- Post on DPI’s website the name of the licensee who is under investigation.
- During the investigation, keep confidential all information pertaining to the investigation except the fact that an investigation is being conducted and the date of the revocation hearing.
- Maintain a record of all investigations that indicates the name of the licensee, the date the investigation began, the reason for the investigation, and the result of the investigation.
- Post on DPI’s website, the name of the person whose license was revoked resulting from an investigation.
Additional Notes
- The public can search if an educator is under investigation by checking the "License Status" field through the online License Lookup. Educators who are under investigation will have a status that says "Under Investigation."
- In most cases, an employing school district will be aware that their employee is under investigation by DPI. However, in cases where DPI does not have employment information about the person under investigation, DPI will not be able to notify the employing school district.
- Each allegation of misconduct is investigated and considered individually to determine if there is sufficient factual evidence to conclude whether the alleged behavior occurred and if any other conduct occurred.
- Not all bad behavior or misconduct constitutes immoral conduct as defined in Wis. Stat. 115.31 (1)(c), nor does all bad and/or poor teaching practice/technique constitute incompetency.
- Being under investigation by DPI does not invalidate a person’s valid license that has not expired.
- If there are pending criminal charges, DPI usually holds its investigation open until the criminal case is concluded.
- DPI usually holds its investigation open pending the outcome/conclusion of the school district’s employment/discipline process.
- The standards for pursuing license revocation are defined in Wis. Admin Code PI 34.098.