School of Education

The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is specific in its requirements about the content of both general education and professional education. DPI requires teacher education candidates to complete a variety of benchmark assessments (tests) detailed below. Teacher candidates must have evidence of completion of all benchmark assessments except for the edTPA in order to be approved for student teaching. 

The WI State Superintendent of Public Instruction determines passing scores. Therefore, prospective teacher education candidates should work closely with an advisor from the outset of their studies at the university. Completion of DPI requirements for licensure may take longer than four academic years. 

Benchmark requirement due dates:

• Student Teaching Spring - October 1st*
• Student Teaching Fall - March 1st*

*Submission of requirements due by 4:00pm CST on the due date.  If the due date falls on a weekend, the requirements are due the following Monday.

Passing test scores, from the testing agency, must be on file in the School of Education Teacher Certification Officer’s office by the dates listed above.

In the case of an extenuating circumstance, students may request an extension to a benchmark deadline or application window. Examples of situations where this might occur include: 

• Applying for Field or Student Teaching 
• Meeting Field or Student Teaching benchmark deadlines 

Requests for an extension should be made prior to the deadline whenever possible by completing this linked form. The form will ask students to provide the following information: 

• Indicate the request 
• Provide an explanation of the extenuating circumstance 
• Provide an explanation of why the application was not able to be submitted within the submission window 
• Identify a UWL faculty member who can speak to the extenuating circumstance 

 The forms received will be reviewed by a committee. The SOE Dean’s Office will follow up with the student regarding the next steps.