AB602: Bill Text

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Assembly BILL 602

December 14, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Katsma, Schraa, Thiesfeldt, Kremer, Kooyenga, Vorpagel, A. Ott, Knudson, Murphy, Knodl, Brandtjen, Hutton and Bernier, cosponsored by Senators Kapenga, Vukmir, LeMahieu, Stroebel, Darling and Nass. Referred to Committee on Education.

AB602,1,4 An Act to amend 115.7915 (2) (c), 118.60 (1) (ab), 118.60 (1) (cm), 119.23 (1) (ab) 1. and 119.23 (1) (ap) of the statutes; relating to: accrediting entities for private schools participating in a parental choice program or the Special Needs Scholarship program.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill adds Christian Schools International to the list of entities that are accrediting agencies and preaccrediting agencies for purposes of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, the Racine Parental Choice Program, and the statewide parental choice program (collectively, "choice programs"). This bill also adds Christian Schools International to the list of entities from which accreditation may qualify a private school to participate in the Special Needs Scholarship program.

Under current law, the following are accrediting agencies under the choice programs:

1. Wisconsin North Central Association.

2. Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation.

3. Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

4. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation.

5. National Lutheran School Accreditation.

6. Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools.

7. The diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located.

8. Any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation.

Under current law, the list of preaccrediting agencies for choice programs is the same as the list of accrediting agencies for choice programs except that the list of preaccrediting agencies also includes the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University and does not include a category for any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation.

Additionally, under current law, the list of entities from which accreditation may qualify a private school to participate in the Special Needs Scholarship program is the same as the list of accrediting agencies for choice programs except that the Special Needs Scholarship program list does not include Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools.

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

AB602,1 Section 1. 115.7915 (2) (c) of the statutes, as created by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

AB602,2,11 115.7915 (2) (c) The eligible school has been approved as a private school by the state superintendent under s. 118.165 (2) or is accredited by the Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Christian Schools International, the diocese or archdiocese within which the private school is located, or any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation, as of the August 1 preceding the school term for which the scholarship is awarded.

AB602,2 Section 2. 118.60 (1) (ab) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB602,3,2 118.60 (1) (ab) "Accrediting entity" means Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, Christian Schools International, the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located, and any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation.

AB602,3 Section 3. 118.60 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB602,3,10 118.60 (1) (cm) "Preaccrediting entity" means the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, Christian Schools International, and the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located.

AB602,4 Section 4. 119.23 (1) (ab) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB602,3,18 119.23 (1) (ab) 1. Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, Christian Schools International, the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located, and any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation.

AB602,5 Section 5. 119.23 (1) (ap) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB602,4,2 119.23 (1) (ap) "Preaccrediting entity" means the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, Christian Schools International, and the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located.

AB602,4,3 (End)