Licensing requirements
Director of Special Education and Pupil Services. (a) Except as specified under par. (b), a director of special education and pupil services license is required of a person to administer a special education program or a pupil services program, or both. For a license under this subsection, the applicant shall have completed an approved program leading to licensure as a director of special education and pupil services. (b) Persons who hold a current special education supervisor-level A license may be issued a license under this subsection. PI 34.32 (5), Wisconsin Administrative Code.
The special education leadership staff person who holds a current 80 or 81 license is the primary contact for the DPI Special Education Team. When an LEA does not employ an individual with an 80 or 81 license, the responsible staff person is the district administrator.
The department provides additional support to special education leadership personnel through the WI Regional Special Education Network (RSN) - an alliance of CESA special educators who promote continuous school improvement to support full educational opportunities for children and youth with disabilities.
2022-23 Special Education/Pupil Services New Leaders Academy
The Special Education and Pupil Services New Leaders Academy for 2022-23 will consist of a series of virtual meetings specifically designed for Special Education Directors and Pupil Services Leaders in their first three years of leading. The purpose of these meetings is to build awareness and understanding on technical topics related to those new to the Special Education and Pupil Services field/position. These webinars will run approximately 2 hours in length from 10 AM- 11:30 AM/12:00 PM. Registration is free and is required for each individual event.
NEW SERIES: Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Series
Additionally, this year, we will be hosting a four-part virtual series of events to provide more in-depth technical assistance/learning to support professionals in the field of Special Education and Pupil Services. These webinars are tentatively scheduled from 9:00-12:00. Registration is free and is required for each individual event.
Information and recordings from the 2021-22 school year are archived on the 2021-22 leadership webpage.