WCASS Events

WCASS offers several professional development offerings throughout the year for Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services, as well as other leaders in special education. We work closely with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to develop this conference programming. Topics include cutting edge information and best practices in the field of educating students with disabilities, legal updates on a variety of topics impacting special education, and Title 1 and IDEA funding compliance. Attendance at most WCASS conferences is eligible for graduate credit through Viterbo University at a reasonable cost.


WCASS Community Conversations

Join your colleagues each month from noon-1pm for networked learning and conversation about timely topics that matter to your work. These free learning opportunities are available only to WCASS Professional, Associate and Pre-Professional members. The sessions are virtual and will not be recorded. Learn more.

Legal Learning Series: Practical Application of Legal Considerations

  • Unrecorded webinars on timely topics
  • $200 for the series 
  • Available to professional, associate and pre-professional members
  • Learn more and register here.
  • Session resources can be found here

State Superintendent's Conference on Special Education and Pupil Services Leadership Issues

  • Date & Location: September 20, 2023. More information is available here.
  • Who Attends: Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services and Designees and other interested parties
  • Highlights: Educational sessions about current issues and changes in state and federal policy related to meeting the needs of students with disabilities and students facing other challenges to success in schools, networking opportunities
  • Vendor Exhibits: No
  • Registration is through DPI; visit the DPI calendar for additional information

DPI-WASBO-WCASS Federal Funding Conference

  • Date & Location: Typically held in late February each year at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells
  • Who Attends: Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services and Designees, Title 1 Coordinators, Grant Accountants and Coordinators, District Administrators, Business Managers, and business office staff working with special education and Title 1 funding
  • Highlights: Educational sessions on Title 1 and IDEA funding compliance, funding a Response to Intervention (RtI) system, district teams encouraged to attend together, networking opportunities
  • Viterbo Credit Offered: Yes
  • Vendor Exhibits: No
  • Registration is through WASBO; visit WASBO.com/federalfunding for additional information

New Leaders Virtual Academy

WCASS is proud to partner with WDPI and the RSN Network for this learning opportunity. 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. More information is available here.

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. More information is available here.

Comprehensive School Mental Health Academy

Meeting the rising mental health needs of school communities is an increasing challenge for education leaders. The Comprehensive School Mental Health Academy is designed to grow capacity in Wisconsin’s School Mental Health Framework and related efforts. The overall goal is to equip leaders with easy-to-access resources, tools, and application examples so that relevant, local action can be thoughtfully implemented and monitored. Registration has closed for 2023-24. Existing teams may find session information here.  

WCASS Spring Conference

  • Date & Location: May 1-3, 2024 Hilton Paper Valley, Appleton
  • Who Attends: Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services and Designees, District Administrators, Assistant Directors, Education Consultants, Principals, Program Support Teachers, School Psychologists
  • Highlights: Educational sessions focused on legal, legislative, and policy and procedural updates, networking opportunities
  • Vendor Exhibits: Click here to register
  • Sponsor Opportunities: Click here to register
  • Register today!
WCASS Fall Conference
  • Date & Location: October 17-18, 2024 | Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells
  • Who Attends: Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services and Designees, District Administrators, Assistant Directors, Education Consultants, Principals, Program Support Teachers, School Psychologists
  • Highlights: Educational sessions on cutting edge information and best practices in the field of educating students with disabilities, networking opportunities
  • Vendor Exhibits: Yes
  • Sponsorship Opportunities: Yes
  • Thanks for your interest in learning with us! Registration is not yet open for this event. When registration opens, members will receive an email and see registration information in the banner of the WCASS Daily Education News. Links and additional information will also be available on the WCASS homepage.