March 30, 2009 Madison
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. GEF 3 Building
125 South Webster St.
Room 041
The hearing site is fully accessible to people with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation to access the meeting, please contact Kevin Ingram, Director, Educational Opportunity Programs and Urban Education, at
kevin.ingram@dpi.wi.gov, (414) 227-4413, or leave a message with the Teletypewriter (TTY) at (608) 267-2427 at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Reasonable accommodation includes materials prepared in an alternative format, as provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Copies of Proposed Rule
Lori Slauson
Administrative Rules and Federal Grants Coordinator
Department of Public Instruction
125 South Webster Street
P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707
Submission of Written Comments
Written comments on the proposed rules received by Ms. Slauson at the above mail or email address no later than April 6, 2009, will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearing.
Analysis Prepared by Department of Public Instruction
Statute interpreted
Statutory authority
Explanation of agency authority
Section
115.43 (2) (c), Stats., gives the department the authority, in consultation with postsecondary educational institutions, to promulgate rules establishing criteria for the review and approval of applications for scholarships under the precollege scholarship program.
Related statute or rule
N/A.
Plain language analysis
2007 Wisconsin Act 20, the biennial budget bill, modified the Minority Group Pupil Precollege Scholarship Program under ss.
115.28 (23) and
115.43, Stats., to change the eligibility criteria from being a minority pupil to being an economically disadvantaged pupil.
The corresponding rules under ch.
PI 22, Wis. Adm. Code, are being modified to reflect the statutory language and current administration of the program. In addition, the proposed rules clarify:
•
That precollege scholarships are awarded to economically disadvantaged pupils but paid to the postsecondary educational institution providing the precollege program in which the pupil is enrolled.
•
That the precollege program provided by the postsecondary educational institution must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible under the program.
•
That pupils do not have to apply to the department for a precollege scholarship, but must apply to a postsecondary educational institution offering a precollege program.
•
That pupils may receive three scholarship awards per year and are no longer limited to receiving only one scholarship per semester or summer.
Comparison with federal regulations
N/A
Comparison with rules in adjacent states
Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota do not have rules relating to scholarships for economically disadvantaged children to attend precollege programs at postsecondary educational institutions.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies
In addition to the modifications made as a result of
2007 Wisconsin Act 20, modifications are made to clarify current practice and statutory intent. For instance, s.
115.43 (2) (b), Stats., requires that precollege scholarships be made on a competitive basis. It is unclear if it is the pupils or the postsecondary educational institutions that must compete. The current rules are also unclear. The rule modifications clarify that it is the postsecondary educational institutions that must meet certain requirements and thus “compete" for scholarship pupils to attend its institution and receive payment for those pupils.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business
N/A
Anticipated costs incurred by private sector
N/A
Small Business Impact
The proposed rules will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s.
227.114 (1) (a), Stats.
Fiscal Estimate
Under s.
20.255 (3) (fz), Stats., precollege scholarships are awarded to eligible pupils that attend postsecondary educational institutions offering precollege programs designed to improve pupils' academic skills necessary for success in college and technical college studies.
The rule modifies criteria and procedures for awarding scholarships under this program. The rules will have no fiscal effect on local governments or small businesses as defined in s.
227.114 (1) (a), Stats.
The costs associated with administering this grant program will be absorbed by the department.
Agency Contact Person
Kevin Ingram, Director
Educational Opportunity Programs and Urban Education
Phone: (414) 227-4413
