WISEhome Introduction

What is WISEhome?

WISEhome allows authorized users to access DPI secure web applications and tools from one location. WISEhome is your WISE application menu. DPI controls WISEhome, which provides access to approved users to DPI’s collection of secure applications.

If you are a District Security Administrator (DSA), Choice Administrator, or Application Administrator seeking information about WISEsecure instead of WISEhome, visit the WISEsecure page.

If you are a brand new user, might not see any applications. Use the ‘Request Access’ tab from the top (purple) banner on WISEhome to request access to the applications you need. You can also use the ‘App Request Status’ to see the status of your requests to those applications.

You need either a WAMS ID or a Google account associated with a district email to log in to WISEhome. Your agency's administrator can then grant you access to an application through the WISEsecure system. Make sure to read the Google single-click sign on section below.

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Accessing Applications

Once you have access to an application in WISEhome, it appears as a link on the My Apps page, organized by category. Just click the link for the application to open it and get started.

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Google Single-Sign On

IMPORTANT NOTICE - PLEASE READ: Using the Google single sign-on button as your very first sign on will disallow you from ever being to sign on with your WAMS user ID and password. This can make account recovery or password resets problematic.

The best practice is to sign on for the very first time into any WISEhome applications using your WAMS credentials.

All DPI applications that you access through WISEhome allow for a single sign-on using Google. In order to use the single sign-on feature, you must have an enterprise Google account. An enterprise Google account means that your agency/school/district manages this Google account for the entire agency/school/district. To use this feature, find a Sign in with Google button when logging in to an application.

This district email address must be associated with your WAMS account used to access your WISEhome applications. Signing in via the Sign in with Google button should not be used on your first sign-in (See the IMPORTANT NOTE at the top of this section) .

Signing in with the Sign in with Google button allows you to work within any WISEhome application for which you have access. Once you log in to WISEhome, the applications to which you have access are listed and you can click any available application.

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What is WAMS?

Click the links below to navigate to different topics related to WAMS:

WAMS General Information

WAMS stands for Web Access Management System. WAMS is a login portal that is managed by the State of Wisconsin. WAMS provides access to all sorts of applications run by different state offices, like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), and us - The Department of Public Instruction (DPI)!

Each State department has secure applications that people can use to access specific information. DPI has many applications available, including, but not limited to:

• all of our WISE applications (like WISEdata portal, WISEdash, WISEgrants, etc.),
• the Wisconsin School Directory Management Portal, and
• Ed-Fi Credential.

WAMS allows people to create Wisconsin User IDs and passwords. Wisconsin User ID and password is the official name of these credentials, and this is what we are referring to when we say, “a WAMS ID.” A WAMS ID allows users to access DPI’s secure applications, as well as applications from any other State of Wisconsin department agency.

For accessing DPI applications, however, the WAMS login credentials (username and password) have a few special requirements:

Best Practice: the email address on the WAMS account should be your district email address.

Example of a person with existing WAMS credentials who has to make a separate WAMS account with a school associated email so they can access WISE, etc.

A WAMS ID alone does not give users automatic access to WISEhome or the applications and tools available through WISEhome. The person in your school/district who has the role of District Security Administrator (DSA) needs to grant your authorization to use DPI’s secure applications and tools.

Best Practice: Provide the same email address used to set up your WAMS account for all other DPI applications you access (i.e., WISEid, WISEadmin). If the same email isn’t used, DPI can still communicate to you, but you’ll need to check multiple inboxes/email accounts.

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Return to WAMS section menu

Create a Wisconsin Access Management System (WAMS) Account

For First-time Users or Users Whose Accounts Have Been Archived

Watch a video:

Or, follow the steps below:

1. Visit the WAMS site to set up your WAMS (Wisconsin User) ID.
2. Click Self-Registration.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the Self Registration page. While scrolling down, review the User Acceptance Agreement.
   • NOTE: A recent change to the agreement states that if your account has not been accessed within 26 months, the account will be archived and you will lose all rights. Then you will need to create a new WAMS account.
4. Click Accept to proceed.
5. On the Self-Registration form, complete the following Profile Information fields:
   • First Name,
   • Last Name,
   • Telephone number, and
   • Email Address.
   • The four items shown are the only required fields. All other information is optional.
6. Account Information--Create your User ID, which can be between 5-20 alphanumeric characters.
7. Create your own Password between 7-20 characters that MUST contain a combination of letters and either numbers or special characters (except the at [ @ ] sign). Re-enter your password as originally typed.
   • NOTE: User ID and password are case sensitive.
8. Account Recovery--Create your Secret Question and Secret Answer.
   • The secret answer is case and character sensitive. Do NOT use the characters ampersand, apostrophe, quote, or slash in the secret question or answer. The answer to your question should be something that does not change over time and is not easily guessed.
   • The secret question and answer are used if you forget your password and/or User ID. With a well-chosen question and answer, the Department of Administrator's (DOA) automated account recovery process will allow you to continue to use your account without needing to contact the help desk.
9. Click Submit.
10. Verify your email address is correct and/or correct any errors.
11. Click OK.
    • If you receive the message that your email already exists, this means an account has already been created with that email address.
    • If you receive the message invalid character(s), check to see if you used an ampersand, apostrophe, quote, or slash in the secret question or answer.
12. After processing, you will see Self-Registration, your name, and the first paragraph of the message beginning with: You are ready to proceed to Step 2.
13. Click Log out.
14. Go to your email account where you should have received, or will generally receive within 10 minutes, an email from WAMS@wisconsin.gov. If you do NOT receive the email, check with your technology department or individual assigned to these duties, as possibly your district's spam filter is not allowing the email to reach you.
15. Open the email and click the web link located in the third paragraph.
    • If you receive the message "cannot access", you will need to type the entire link shown in the email.
16. You should be at a screen titled Account Activation - Final Step. Enter your WAMS User ID and password, and then click Log in.
17. You should see Self-Registration, your name, and the message beginning "Congratulations! You have successfully created and activated your account..."
18. Click Log out.

After you have finished the process of creating your WAMS ID, you will need to wait at least one hour before giving your WAMS ID to your DSA to assign rights for use in any of the WISE applications.

This WAMS account is your own personal account for doing business with the State of Wisconsin and should go with you wherever your future may take you.

All DPI WISEhome applications allow for a single sign-on using Google, which is an alternative log in method. Please read these details about the Google Single Sign-On process.

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Return to WAMS section menu

Getting Help with Your WAMS Account

WAMS is not managed by DPI. This means submitting a help ticket to the WISE Partner Support team will not help resolve any WAMS issues, and you will be directed to the WAMS help link at the bottom of the page.

To get help with anything WAMS related, use the Help Wisconsin Support link to send an email to Help Desk Staff at Wisconsin.gov. This link is also at the very bottom of the page of the WAMS application.

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Return to WAMS section menu

Updating WAMS Account When Changing Districts

If you already have a WAMS account and you are starting work at a new Wisconsin school district, you need to either update your WAMS account to use your new district email address or create a new WAMS account at your new district. 

You should not use your old district email address for your new district. Your new district will assign access using your new email address. It is also very helpful for you to ask your prior district’s security administrator (DSA) to remove your old user roles.

If you are unable to access your WAMS account click the Account Recovery link in the WAMS application and follow those instructions.

Updating Your WAMS Account

Changing Your WAMS Account Email Address

To change the email address on your WAMS account:

1. Log in to the Web Access Management System (WAMS).
2. Click Profile Management.
3. Update your email address and review all other profile information to ensure it’s up to date.
4. When you’re done, click Submit.
5. Return to the Web Access Management System (WAMS) website.
6. Login with the newly created email credentials.
   • These last two steps will help you login to WISEhome with your updated credentials. 

Creating a New WAMS Account

1. If you would prefer to create a new WAMS account at your new district:
2. Go to the WAMS homepage.
3. Select Self Registration.
   • Provide the required information.
4. IMPORTANT: When you receive a confirmation email from the WAMS system, follow the link given to log in and verify your account.
5. Return to the Web Access Management System (WAMS) website.
6. Login with the newly created email credentials.

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Return to WAMS section menu

WAMS ID Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need a Web Access Management System (WAMS), also known as a Wisconsin User ID?
   • The WAMS account includes a secure user ID and password that are needed to access various applications in the department because of student privacy, confidentiality of student data, state and federal privacy laws, district regulations, policies, and procedures established to maintain the confidentiality of student data. A list of resources regarding protecting student privacy in Wisconsin is provided on the DPI Student Data Privacy page.
     
     A sampling of some department applications that use the WAMS ID: WISEdata Portal, WISEid, WISEstaff, WISEdash for Districts and Secure File Access Exchange (SAFE).
2. I had a WAMS account but have not used the account within 26 months. What is needed on my part?
   • You will need to create a new WAMS ID because your account has been archived. For specific instructions, go to the Creating Your WAMS Account webpage. DO NOT USE your previous WAMS ID because the system will not recognize your new account.
3. How do I find out if I have a WAMS ID?
   • Visit the WAMS Help page. 
      
4. How do I update/modify information in my WAMS account?
   • If you DO remember your password, to update/modify your WAMS information:
   •  Go to the WAMS website. 
   •  Scroll down and then click Profile Management
   • Type your WAMS ID and password.
   • Update your email address and/or all other pertinent information.
   • Enter your password to approve changes.
   • Click Submit.
   • All individuals will need to wait at least one (1) hour before accessing any application that uses WAMS.
     • For a District Administrator who has moved from one district to another and had a WAMS ID from a previous district: Please open a Help Ticket and select either WISEhome or WISEsecure from the application drop-down list.
5. My WAMS account is locked. What is needed to correct the issue?
   • Learn about account recovery on the WAMS Help page. For specific account recovery instructions:
   • Go to the WAMS website.
   • Click Account Recovery.
   • On the page Wisconsin User ID Account Recovery, enter either your User ID or email address but NOT BOTH.
   • Click Submit.
   • Click Log out.
   • Go to your email account. You will receive an email from WAMS (usually within 10 minutes).
   • Open the email and click the hyperlink.
   • Provide the exact answer to your secret question.
   • Click Submit.
   • Provide a new password for your account. Then re-enter the new password in the appropriate field.
   • Click Submit and then Log out.
   • You will receive an email from WAMS with a subject "Wisconsin User ID Account Recovery Successful."
   • After one (1) hour you may access WISE applications, as your account will recognize the new password.
6. I had a WAMS ID from a previous district, and I remember my password. How do I update/modify my WAMS information for the new district?
   • Visit the 'Updating WAMS Account When Changing Districts' webpage for detailed instructions. You can also learn about Profile Management on the WAMS Help page.
7. I had a WAMS ID from a previous district, but I DO NOT remember my WAMS information.

   • If you know your WAMS account user ID and have access to the email address that is associated with the WAMS account, view the Account Recovery portion of the WAMS Help page and use Account Recovery to change your WAMS account password. You may then use Profile Management to change the associated email address after you successfully reset your WAMS account password.

   • If you do not remember your WAMS account user ID or if you no longer have access to the email account that is associated with the WAMS account, you must email the Wisconsin Help Support. Under the Account Information Comments section, type an explanation of the issue.

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Return to WAMS section menu

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WAMS and WISE Application Access

WAMS: Detailed Information

Creating your WAMS Account

WAMS ID FAQ

Updating WAMS When You Change Districts

Wisconsin.Gov: Web Access Management System homepage

WISE Application Security Basics Mini Tutorial

WISE Application User Roles Mini Tutorial

Acknowledgment of Data Submission

Data at DPI

DPI Data Disclaimer

Local Data Sharing Agreement

WISEhome Agreement

WISEhome Introduction

WISEhome and WISEsecure Login Information

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System and Data Security

Each year, all Wisconsin school districts collect information about their students, staff, and courses based on federal and state requirements. They submit these data sets to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which stores the data sets in the data warehouse, and makes them available in both secure and redacted platforms.

To view and work with student data, users must have the appropriate security for a WISE application. Each user accessing any of the secure WISE applications needs either a Google Enterprise account to use the Google Single Sign-On, or a WAMS ID to log in to the various WISE applications. Users enter their credentials (i.e., username and password) via WISEhome, a portal that allows authorized users to access its applications and tools in one location.

School and Student Data for LEAs and Families

If you are a person who accesses student and school data, the following links may be of interest to you:

Requesting Data from DPI

As the State Educational Agency (SEA), SPI is the steward of historical and current data records. The Wisconsin DPI Data Requests page provides viewers with links to frequently-requested DPI data. 

Use the Confidential Data Request form if you have a need to request confidential data for a purpose that complies with data privacy and confidentiality required by federal and state law.

Use the Non-Confidential Data Request form to request public data not available on the DPI website, or if you need assistance in locating data. You can also contact the Wisconsin Historical Society if the data you are requesting is over 50 years old. 

Use the Data Use Agreement Modification form to submit a modification request for an existing Data Use Agreement (DUA) with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Use the Data Destruction Certification form to certify you have destroyed all data received and any personally identifiable information connected with the Data Use Agreement (DUA) in accordance to the expired DUA or when the data is no longer needed for the purposes of the DUA, whichever comes first.

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