GENERAL INFORMATION |
Rule No. PI 24 | Relating to Calculation of aid under the achievement gap reduction program | Rule Type Permanent |
SIGNATURE |
State Superintendent Review ☐ Approved. Begin Drafting Rule ☐ Disapproved. Reason for Disapproval | State Superintendent Signature ➢ | Date Signed Mo./Day/Yr. |
NARRATIVE |
1. Finding/nature of the emergency (Emergency Rule only). N/A |
2. A description of the objective of the proposed rule. The objective of the proposed rule is to make updates to the calculation and payment of aid under the achievement gap reduction (AGR) program. The proposed rule will provide that school districts participating in the AGR program shall use prior year enrollment data to calculate the number of low-income pupils enrolled in a grade eligible for funding under the AGR program in the eligible school. |
3. A description of the existing policies and new policies included in the proposed rule and an analysis of policy alternatives. The AGR program allows a participating school to meet the obligations of a five-year contract by implementing one of three strategies, or a combination of these strategies in every kindergarten through 3rd grade classroom: 1) one−to−one tutoring provided by a licensed teacher; 2) instructional coaching for teachers provided by a licensed teacher; or 3) maintaining 18:1 or 30:2 classroom ratios and providing professional development on small group instruction. The AGR program requires each participating school to create performance objectives for reducing the achievement gap between low−income students in that school and students in the same grade and subject statewide. The AGR program is funded by a sum certain appropriation and is prorated among all low−income pupils in participating grades. Aid payments are calculated from the statewide appropriation to determine the per pupil allocation. When the AGR program was established in the 2015-16 school year, the department promulgated rules to implement and administer the payment of aid under the program. Under s. PI 24.03 (3), an eligible school shall receive aid by reporting to the department, on a form supplied by the department, the number of low-income pupils enrolled in a grade eligible for funding in the eligible school on the third Friday in September by the third Friday in October. Since the rules were promulgated, the department has identified revisions to the rules governing the AGR program which are designed to improve implementation of the program and ease the burden of school districts reporting their enrollment data to calculate the number of eligible pupils eligible for aid under the program. The proposed rule will use the prior year's enrollment data for calculating the number of low-income pupils eligible for aid, which would be certified and obtained directly from the WISEdata system, instead of requiring school districts to enter this data into the AGR program before the third Friday in October deadline. The proposed rule would also provide school districts with the flexibility to use current year enrollment data in the event of unforeseen or unusual circumstances affecting school enrollment, which may include school closures or school consolidations. Without this change, the department would be required to implement ch. PI 24 as the rules currently exist, and school districts would be required to report their enrollment data pursuant to current rule requirements. |
4. The statutory authority for the proposed rule. Under 118.44 (6) (e), Stats., the Department is given statutory authority to promulgate rules with respect to the payment of state aid under the AGR program under s. 118.44 (6), Stats.: 118.44 Achievement gap reduction; state aid. (6) State aid. (e) The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer the payment of state aid under this subsection. |
5. An estimate of the amount of time agency employees will spend developing the proposed rule and of other resources needed to develop the rule. The amount of time needed for rule development by department staff and the number of other resources necessary are minimal. |
6. A description of all of the entities that will be affected by the proposed rule. This rule change will affect school districts participating in the AGR program under s. 118.44, Stats. |
7. A summary and preliminary comparison of any existing or proposed federal regulation that addresses or is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule. N/A |
