SB284: Bill Text

LRB-2711/1

FFK:jld&eev:ph

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Senate BILL 284

September 5, 2013 - Introduced by Senators Grothman, Olsen, Lazich, Risser, Miller and Gudex, cosponsored by Representatives Strachota, Kestell, Tittl, Jacque, Kerkman, Kleefisch, Spiros, Brooks, Weatherston, Pridemore, Nass, Kooyenga, Endsley, Krug, Jagler, Marklein, Bernier, Knodl, Stone and Schraa. Referred to Committee on Education.

SB284,1,3 An Act to amend 118.33 (1) (a) (intro.); and to create 118.33 (1) (em) of the statutes; relating to: allowing pupils in grades 7 and 8 to earn high school credit.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a school board may grant a high school diploma to a pupil if, subject to certain exceptions, the pupil earns a certain number of credits while in grades 9 to 12 (high school credits). This bill allows a school board to count certain credits a pupil earns while in grades 7 and 8 as high school credits for purposes of granting a high school diploma.

Under the bill, a school board may count credit earned by a pupil in grade 7 or 8 as high school credit if the pupil earns the credit in a course that is taught by a teacher who is licensed to teach the subject matter to pupils in grades 9 to 12 and the course is taught using a curriculum and assessments that are used to teach the subject to pupils in grades 9 to 12. The pupil must also demonstrate based on certain exams that he or she is academically prepared for coursework that is offered to pupils in grades 9 to 12.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB284,1 Section 1. 118.33 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB284,2,2 118.33 (1) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in pars. (d) and, (e),and (em), a school board may not grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil has earned:

SB284,2 Section 2. 118.33 (1) (em) of the statutes is created to read:

SB284,2,6 118.33 (1) (em) A school board may count a credit that a pupil earns in grade 7 or 8 towards the requirements under par. (a) 1. or (am) if all of the following are satisfied:

SB284,2,9 1. The pupil's performance on an examination under s. 118.30 or a similar examination approved by the school board demonstrates that the pupil is academically prepared for coursework that is offered in the high school grades.

SB284,2,11 2. The credit is earned in a course that is taught by a teacher who is licensed to teach the subject in the high school grades.

SB284,2,14 3. The credit is earned in a course that is taught using a curriculum and assessments that are equivalent to the curriculum and assessments used to teach the subject in the high school grades.

SB284,3 Section 3. Initial applicability.

SB284,2,17 (1) This act first applies to a course completed by a pupil in grade 7 or 8 during the 2014-15 school year.

SB284,2,18 (End)