LRB-1416/P3
EHS:amn
2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Bong, BB0229 - Early school absenteeism pilot program
For 2017-2019 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
health and human services
Public assistance
This bill creates an early absenteeism pilot program under which, in fiscal years 2018-19 and 2019-20, DCF must award grants on a competitive basis to public elementary schools for the purpose of reducing chronic absenteeism in early grades. “Chronic absenteeism” is defined in the bill as “the absence of a student from school for 10 percent or more of the school year.” Under the bill, after a school is awarded a grant, it is only eligible for a subsequent grant if it achieves a reduction in chronic absenteeism specified in the grant agreement. The bill also requires DCF and DPI to enter into a memorandum of understanding under which they exchange data for the purpose of determining grant eligibility, reviewing grant applications, developing outcome measurements, and verifying outcomes for grant recipients.
Under current law, DCF is directed to allocate in each fiscal year specific amounts of money, including federal moneys received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program, for various public assistance programs. This bill directs DCF to allocate $500,000 in fiscal year 2018-19 to fund the early absenteeism pilot program.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 49.1377 of the statutes is created to read:
49.1377 Early absenteeism pilot program. (1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Chronic absenteeism” means the absence of a student from school for 10 percent or more of the school year.
(b) “School” means a public elementary school.
(2) Competitive grant program. In fiscal years 2018-19 and 2019-20, the department shall award grants on a competitive basis to eligible schools for the purpose of reducing chronic absenteeism in early grades. In awarding grants under this section, the department shall give priority to applicant schools that have higher numbers of chronically absent students in early grades than other applicant schools. The department may determine other criteria upon which to base the award of grants under this section.
(3) Eligibility. A school is eligible for a grant under this section if the school experiences chronic absenteeism in early grades. After receiving a grant under this section, a school is only eligible for a subsequent grant under this section if the school achieves, during the school year for which the grant was awarded, the reduction in chronic absenteeism in early grades specified in the grant agreement. The department shall consult with the department of public instruction to determine the appropriate absenteeism reduction goal for grant recipients.
(4) Memorandum of understanding. The department and the department of public instruction shall enter into a memorandum of understanding under which the departments cooperate and exchange data for the purpose of determining grant eligibility, reviewing grant applications, developing outcome measurements, verifying outcomes for grant recipients, and any other actions the departments agree are necessary.
(5) Sunset. The department may not award any grants under this section after June 30, 2020.
Section
2. 49.175 (1) (ym) of the statutes is created to read:
49.175 (1) (ym) Early absenteeism pilot program. For grants to schools to reduce chronic absenteeism in early grades under s. 49.1377, $500,000 in fiscal year 2018-19.
(End)
