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 Service Network (RSN) - an alliance of CESA special educators who promote continuous school improvement to support full educational opportunities for children and youth with disabilities.
Special Education Leadership Directory
For questions about this information, contact Eva Kubinski (608) 266-2899.
2020 Special Education and Pupil Services Leadership Academy
Save the Date Webinar Schedule
To support new special education leaders as they strive to meet the challenges of their new positions, in collaboration with Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Services (WCASS), the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Special Education and Student Services Prevention and Wellness Teams are hosting a yearlong virtual training opportunity for the 2020-21 school year. This event is geared toward first and second-year Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services, Special Education Coordinators, or Designees. If you are an experienced leader, please pass this information on to a colleague who is new to the role. DPI staff members, along with WCASS and your local Regional Special Education Network Directors (RSN), will present sessions addressing a variety of procedural and relevant topics. Throughout the year, there will be opportunities to include new building administrators or other support staff, depending on the topic.
The first webinar will be on August 13, 2020, from 9:00-11:00. To register in advance, visit here. Registration for the first Zoom webinar will be open from July 20, 2020 - August 7, 2020. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Agenda topics at a glance include a welcome, overview, COVID-19 update, webinar calendar and forecasting, and resources.