ORDER OF THE
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
ADOPTING PERMANENT RULES
The scope statement for this rule, SS 151-20, was published in Register No. 780A1, on December 7, 2020, and approved by State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor on December 21, 2020. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction hereby adopts an order to create s. PI 17.03 (2) (e), relating to expanding virtual summer and interim session courses. ANALYSIS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Statute interpreted: s. 121.14, Stats. Explanation of agency authority:
The department is given rulemaking authority to establish criteria for summer and interim session classes under s. 121.14 (1) (a), Stats.: 121.14 State aid for summer classes and interim session classes.
(1)
(a) State aid shall be paid to each district or county children with disabilities education board for all of the following:
1. Subject to par. (b), those academic summer classes or laboratory periods that are for necessary academic purposes, as defined by the state superintendent by rule.
Related statute or rule:
The department had previously issued an emergency rule on a related topic, Emergency Rule 2003 relating to expanding virtual summer and interim session courses, which was in effect from May 5, 2020, to October 1, 2020.
Additionally, the proposed rule creates consistency with ch. PI 8, which establishes the minimum standard for the hours of direct instruction of pupils during the regular school year which are counted for state aid purposes. Section 8.01 (2) (f) permits school districts to count hours of instructional programming offered through instruction provided in a virtual setting as well as in-person learning during the regular school year. The proposed rule will allow school districts to count enrollments in virtual courses during summer and interim sessions for state aid purposes similar to how enrollments are counted during the regular school year under ch. PI 8. Plain language analysis:
The objective of the proposed rule is to expand options for school districts and county children with disabilities education boards. The proposed rule will amend ch. PI 17 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code to include virtual instruction taught to any grade level during summer classes or laboratory periods that are necessary for academic purposes. The proposed rule will create consistency between the rules governing how virtual courses are aided during the summer and interim session and the regular school year. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations:
There are no comparable existing or proposed federal regulations intended to address the activities regulated by this proposed rule.
Summary of any public comments and feedback on the statement of scope for the proposed rule that the agency received at a preliminary public hearing and comment period held and a description of how and to what extent the agency took those comments into account and drafting the proposed rule:
The Department held a preliminary public hearing and comment period on December 11, 2020, and received comments on the statement of scope for the proposed rule. A brief summary of comments and the Department’s response to those comments are as follows:
The participants at the hearing spoke in support of the proposed rule and argued in favor of additional options for keeping students engaged in their learning during summer and interim sessions.Agency Response: These comments were forwarded to program staff for consideration during the rulemaking process.
Some respondents noted an increase in the number of students who opted to use the option to enroll in virtual courses. The respondents believe that the proposed rule could be helpful for school districts seeking to offer additional options for students during summer and interim sessions.Agency Response: These comments were forwarded to program staff for consideration during the rulemaking process.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: There are no comparable rules with respect to virtual summer and interim session courses in Illinois.
Iowa: 281 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 15 governs the use of online learning and telecommunications for instruction by schools. However, there are no comparable rules with respect to virtual summer and interim session courses. Michigan: There are no comparable rules with respect to virtual summer and interim session courses in Michigan.
