AB696: Bill Text

LRB-4277/1

FFK:kjf

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Assembly BILL 696

January 13, 2016 - Introduced by Representative Knudson, cosponsored by Senator Olsen. Referred to Committee on Education.

AB696,1,3 An Act to amend 118.194 (1) (b) and 118.194 (2) of the statutes; relating to: an initial teaching license based on completion of a Montessori teacher education program.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill expands the teacher education programs that satisfy a requirement for obtaining an initial teaching license under the alternative teacher licensure path described below to include teacher education programs approved by the Association Montessori Internationale.

2015 Wisconsin Act 55 created an alternative teacher licensure path for an individual who satisfies the following requirements:

1. The individual has a bachelor's degree.

2. The individual successfully completed a teacher education program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education.

3. The individual successfully completed a three-credit introductory course in special education.

4. The individual received a passing score on any standardized examination the Department of Public Instruction requires to obtain an equivalent license under the traditional licensing path and the Foundations of Reading test.

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

AB696,1 Section 1. 118.194 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

AB696,2,5 118.194 (1) (b) Successfully completed a teacher education program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education or approved by the Association Montessori Internationale.

AB696,2 Section 2. 118.194 (2) of the statutes, as created by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

AB696,2,14 118.194 (2) A license under sub. (1) authorizes an individual to teach the educational levels for which the individual has successfully completed a teacher education program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education described in sub. (1) (b) at a school that uses the Montessori method as its primary method of instruction. The department shall treat an initial license to teach granted under sub. (1) in the same manner the state superintendent treats an initial license to teach granted in accordance with s. 118.19.

AB696,2,15 (End)