AB447: Bill Text

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2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

2011 Assembly BILL 447

December 27, 2011 - Introduced by Representatives Radcliffe, Litjens, Bernard Schaber, Bernier, Brooks, E. Coggs, Doyle, Endsley, Farrow, Kaufert, Kerkman, Krug, Marklein, Pridemore, Ringhand, Ripp, Rivard, Spanbauer, Thiesfeldt, Young, Zepnick and Ziegelbauer, cosponsored by Senators Wanggaard and Olsen. Referred to Committee on Education.

AB447,1,3 An Act to amend 115.787 (2) (g) 1.; and to create 118.33 (1) (g) of the statutes; relating to: authorizing a school board to grant a vocational high school diploma.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a school board may not grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil has earned at least 4 credits of English, 3 credits of social studies, 2 credits of science, 2 credits of mathematics, 1.5 credits of physical education, and 0.5 credits of health education.

This bill authorizes a school board to grant a vocational high school diploma to a pupil if the pupil:

1. Satisfies the above requirements.

2. Earns in grades 9 to 12 the same total number of credits that the school board requires of other pupils for high school graduation.

3. Successfully completes a vocational education program, established by the school board, in one or more subjects.

The bill authorizes a school board, in establishing a vocational education program, to incorporate standards for industry-wide certifications. The school board must indicate on a pupil's vocational high school diploma the certifications attained by the pupil.

Finally, the bill directs the Department of Public Instruction annually to provide each school board that offers high school grades a list of industry certifications.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

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

AB447, s. 1 Section 1. 115.787 (2) (g) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB447,2,8 115.787 (2) (g) 1. Beginning not later than in the first individualized education program that will be in effect when the child is 14, and updated annually thereafter, a statement of appropriate, measurable postsecondary goals for the child based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, where appropriate, independent living skills. An individualized education program that indicates a goal of a vocational high school diploma under s. 118.33 (1) (g) shall specify the course of study that the pupil must take to attain that goal.

AB447, s. 2 Section 2. 118.33 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB447,2,11 118.33 (1) (g) 1. A school board may grant a vocational high school diploma to a pupil who does all of the following:

AB447,2,12 a. Satisfies the requirements under par. (a).

AB447,2,14 b. Earns in the high school grades the same total number of credits that the school board requires of other pupils for high school graduation.

AB447,2,16 c. Successfully completes a vocational education program, established by the school board, in a subject or subjects.

AB447,3,2 2. In establishing a vocational education program under subd. 1. c., the school board may incorporate standards for industry-recognized certifications. Annually, the department shall provide to each school board operating high school grades a list of such certifications. The school board shall indicate on a pupil's vocational high school diploma the certifications attained by the pupil.

AB447,3,3 (End)