WCASS Learning Events and Opportunities
WCASS offers several professional learning events and opportunities throughout the year. Topics include cutting edge information and best practices for student services and educating students with disabilities.
Special Education Budgeting Academy
 The Special Education Budgeting Academy is back, featuring a yearlong professional learning opportunity from WASBO and WCASS designed to help districts make the most of their special education budgets while strengthening collaboration between Special Education Directors and School Business Officials.
The 2026-27 academy includes two in-person training days, two virtual check-ins, and two cohorts. The northern cohort will meet in Eau Claire at The Lismore Hotel, with in-person sessions on October 26, 2026, and January 14, 2027, and the southern cohort will meet in Pewaukee at Waukesha County Technical College, with in-person sessions on November 4, 2026, and January 7, 2027. Both locations will include virtual check-ins on December 4, 2026, and February 19, 2027.
Registration includes two in-person sessions from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, two virtual check-ins from 12:00 to 1:30 PM, and meals during the in-person days. Individual participation is welcome, but special education and finance leaders are strongly encouraged to attend together. Early bird registration is available through October 1 at $325 for single participants or $300 per person for multiple attendees.
Register Now!
2026-2027 Virtual Events:
Curious about upcoming WCASS Virtual Learning opportunities? Check out the 25-26 WCASS Professional Learning Brochure HERE or read more about these upcoming offerings below:
Wisconsin Principal/Special Education Director IDEA Leadership Community of Practice
Invite your district leadership team to participate in a sustained Community of Practice (CoP) where leaders learn together, solve real challenges, and strengthen collective leadership for students with disabilities. This CoP brings together special education directors, principals and assistant principals, and other district leaders from the same district to engage in shared learning and problem-solving. Together, teams focus on a common purpose: fostering meaningful growth; strengthening belonging; and building school communities where students with disabilities, and the educators who serve them, feel valued and supported. Designed for district teams, rather than individual participants, this CoP provides structured time for cross-role dialogue, reflection, and action. Districts may register up to four representatives to participate as a team.
Across four interactive sessions, participating teams will:
- Strengthen collaboration between general and special education leadership.
- Align special education services with district-wide and school improvement goals.
- Build leadership capacity to effectively support students with disabilities and the educators who serve them.
- Translate learning into actionable steps that inform school- and district-level practices, increase access for students, and support special educator retention.
This CoP is organized by the following professional organizations:
- Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA)
- Lead IDEA Center
- Wisconsin Association of School Personnel Administrators (WASPA)
- Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Services (WCASS)
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
This is a free, virtual event taking place the following days:
Register Here!
Legal Learning Series
Legal Expertise on Hot Topics in Special Education and Pupil Services! Join us for monthly legal series led by our WCASS Legal Partners. During these sessions, you will hear about critical topics from the attorneys who are supporting Wisconsin Schools.
3rd Monday of the month at Noon, November through May (2026-2027)
Register Here
Building the Bridge: Aligning District Leadership Systems for Student Learning and Teacher Retention
Strong outcomes for students with disabilities depend on more than the special education office. They depend on how leaders across a district plan, support instruction, and care for the educators doing the work. Building from the focus on Collective Efficacy during the Fall Conference, this series brings directors together to build the partnerships that make that possible.
9:00 am - 10:15 am on November 17, 2026, December 15, 2026, January 12, 2027, February 16, 2027
Register Here
Early Career Director Coaching
Directors in their first 5 years deserve to be supported in a personalized manner that addresses their specific context, challenges, and goals. WCASS is invested in your success and believes that a formalized coach/mentor relationship is the best pathway to get there.
Reach out to [email protected] for more information and to schedule your sessions.
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