2019 WISCONSIN ACT 44
An Act to amend 118.19 (14) (a); and to create 118.19 (14) (b) of the statutes; relating to: requirements for initial licensure as a special education teacher.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
44,1
Section
1. 118.19 (14) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
118.19 (14) (a) The Except as provided in par. (b), the department may not issue an initial teaching license that authorizes the holder to teach in grades kindergarten to 5 or in special education, an initial license as a reading teacher, or an initial license as a reading specialist, unless the applicant has passed an examination identical to the Foundations of Reading test administered in 2012 as part of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. The department shall set the passing cut score on the examination at a level no lower than the level recommended by the developer of the test, based on this state's standards.
44,2
Section
2. 118.19 (14) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
118.19 (14) (b) The department shall waive the requirement under par. (a) for an applicant seeking an initial teaching license that authorizes the holder to teach in special education if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the applicant has successfully completed a course of study that satisfies all of the following:
1. The course of study provides rigorous instruction in the teaching of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency.
2. A student in the course of study receives feedback and coaching from an individual who is an expert of reading instruction.
3. A student in the course of study demonstrates competence in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency by providing a portfolio of work.
