Wisconsin

COVID-19 Special Education Question and Answer Document

Summary: This guidance document is an update to the March 2020 document. It was developed to help school districts develop IEPs and strategies for providing special education services during COVID-19 conditions.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Distance Learning, IEP

DWD Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Offices Temporarily Closed to the Public

Summary: This memo explains that all Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offices will be closed due to COVID-19, and it provides links to resources that people can use in the meantime (e.g., online job search tools, Job Center directories and a technical assistance number).

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Topic: Transition

Extended School Closure due to COVID-19 Special Education Question and Answer Document

Summary: This FAQ document is designed to explain special education requirements to school districts and educators during COVID-19 school closures. It covers topics like implementing IEPs and holding virtual IEP meetings.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Distance Learning, IEP

For Families and Students Webpage

Summary: This web page provides links to resources that relate to “future readiness,” and covers topics such as work-based learning requirement updates and virtual career exploration resources. While it does not specifically relate to students with disabilities, it is relevant to those students and their families.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Family Engagement, Transition

Preparing for Discussions on Additional Services: What Families Can Do

Summary: This planning worksheet was developed to assist parents and families with preparing for additional services discussions with their IEP teams.

Operated by: Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative

Topic: Assistive Technology, Family Engagement, Telehealth

Teleservice Considerations for Related Services During the Current Public Health Emergency

Summary: This FAQ document provides information and resources to help school districts and service providers understand how teleservices can be used to continue providing services to students with disabilities. It includes a professional development resource bank, organized by service provider type.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Telehealth

Transition Planning During COVID 19

Summary: This webinar addresses how COVID-19 is impacting students in transition, as well as how various stakeholders can continue supporting those students.

Operated by: Transition Improvement Grant (supported by Wisconsin DPI)

Topic: Transition

Understanding Special Education Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Summary: This presentation was developed to help people (especially families) understand guidance issued in response to challenges facing school communities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on the guidance contained in the Extended School Closure Due to COVID-19 Special Education Question and Answer document.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Family Engagement

What Families Need to Know about Additional Services Due to Extended School Closure

Summary: This document summarizes the “Additional Services Due to Extended School Closures” Bulletin, putting it in parent-friendly language and providing information, tips, and actions so families can support their child in receiving additional services.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Family Engagement, IEP, Telehealth

Teleservice Considerations for Related Services During the Current Public Health Emergency

Summary: This document offers providers guidance on teleservices to students with IEPs. It addresses topics such as conducting assessments, IEP considerations, LEA considerations, licensing, Medicaid billing, and privacy.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: IEP

Conducting Parent Friendly and Productive Virtual IEP Meetings

Summary: This web page developed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction contains numerous resources for conducting parent friendly and productive virtual IEP meetings. Resources include a meeting checklist, slide presentation, webinars, and handouts. Topics of the resources include preparing for a meeting, engagement, potential barriers, and follow up.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: IEP

A Guide to Implementing IEPs and Monitoring Progress of IEP Goals When Moving Between In-Person, Hybrid, or Virtual Learning Environments

Summary: The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for decision-making when moving from in-person instruction to a virtual or hybrid learning environment. This also includes decision-making to determine how to monitor progress of IEP goals in a virtual or hybrid learning environment. 

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: IEP

CTE Back-to-School Webinar

Summary: This webinar brought CTE leaders and teachers together to share what is working in CTE during the pandemic. It also focused on effective assessment tools and how to modify lessons. 

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Transition

Information Update Bulletin 20.01

Summary: In this policy update to service providers, the Wisconsin Department of Education specifies the exact requirements for the provision of IEP meetings and services during the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors include examples of additional IEP services, circumstances under which IEP providers can give extended school year services, IEP documentation requirement adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and so on. 

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: IEP

Virtual IEP Meeting Check List

Summary: This document lists each consideration for IEP service providers preparing to hold IEP meetings virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes best practices before meetings, step-by-step instructions for meetings, and post-meeting considerations. 

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: IEP

Supplemental Resources for Supporting Students with IEPs During COVID-19

Summary: This web page provides both state and federal level resources for students with disabilities adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources include postsecondary transition resources, distance learning resources, resources for parents and educators adjusting to distance learning for students with disabilities, and social-emotional learning resources and best practices. 

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: IEP, Distance Learning, Transition, Mental Health, Family Engagement

A Focus on Mental Health and Wellness During School Closures

Summary: The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has listed emergency and supplemental mental health resources and best practices for the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources include mental health hotlines, best mental health practices for students of various age groups, and advice for parents supporting their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Mental Health

School Safety and Mental Health

Summary: This web page lists resources and best practices for families helping students cope with mental health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It directs parents to social emotional learning activities, and it emphasizes best practices for different age groups’ mental health needs.

Operated by: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Topic: Mental Health