
Door Opens for Private School Training
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) reversed course last week, deciding to open training courses previously reserved for public school teachers to private school employees as well.
Act 160, signed by Governor Doyle last March, requires any school employee administering prescription or non-prescription drugs to a student to complete a certified training course by March 1, 2011. Once completed, the school and employee are immune from most civil lawsuits relating to the administration of such medications.
The DPI developed a three-course series covering the most common medicinal applications and has been offering it to public school employees for the past year. With the passage of Act 160, all Wisconsin schools were suddenly required to have trained teachers on staff.
Since the legislature did not provide DPI any new funding for the directive, DPI originally decided to deny private school employees access to the courses. On Friday they notified WCRIS of their intention to reverse their previous position, opening the three courses to all teachers.
In the coming weeks, the DPI will be providing us with written guidelines on Act 160, including a method for determining how many employees should seek certification. WCRIS encourages members to begin planning for Act 160 this summer.
The three courses currently available were created by a private company from Massachusetts, School Meds, Inc. Under the terms of their contract with the DPI, approximately 2,000 slots will be provided for private school employees and an additional 7,000 slots for public schools.
The DPI informed WCRIS they are using surplus funding for this initiative, indicating a need to secure additional funding sources in the future.
Employees who obtain initial certification will be required to renew their training every two or three years. |