SB989,58 14Section 58 . 118.30 (1t) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,29,1815 118.30 (1t) Annually, the governing body of each private school participating
16in the private school choice program under s. 118.60, other than a private school at
17which fewer than 20 pupils in grades 3 to 12 are attending the school under the
18private school choice program under s. 118.60, shall do all of the following:
SB989,29,2119 (a) Administer the 4th grade examination adopted or approved by the state
20superintendent under sub. (1) to all pupils attending the 4th grade in the private
21school under s. 118.60 the private school choice program.
SB989,29,2422 (b) Administer the 8th grade examination adopted or approved by the state
23superintendent under sub. (1) to all pupils attending the 8th grade in the private
24school under s. 118.60 the private school choice program.
SB989,30,4
1(bm) Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, in In the spring session, administer
2the 9th grade examination adopted or approved by the state superintendent under
3sub. (1) to all pupils attending the 9th grade in the private school under s. 118.60 the
4private school choice program
.
SB989,30,75 (c) In the spring session, administer the 10th grade examination adopted or
6approved by the state superintendent under sub. (1) to all pupils attending the 10th
7grade in the private school under s. 118.60 the private school choice program.
SB989,30,118 (cm) Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, in In the spring session, administer
9the 11th grade examination adopted or approved by the state superintendent under
10sub. (1) to all pupils attending the 11th grade in the private school under s. 118.60
11the private school choice program.
SB989,30,1512 (d) Administer to pupils attending the private school under s. 118.60 the
13private school choice program
all other examinations in reading, mathematics, and
14science that are required to be administered to public school pupils under 20 USC
156311
(b) (2).
SB989,30,1816 (e) If the governing body of the private school maintains an Internet site a
17website
for the school, annually publish information on that Internet site website
18about the examinations administered under this subsection to pupils in the school.
SB989,59 19Section 59 . 118.30 (2) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,30,2420 118.30 (2) (b) 1. If a pupil is enrolled in a special education program under
21subch. V of ch. 115, the school board, operator of the charter school under s. 118.40
22(2r) or (2x), or governing body of the private school participating in the private school
23choice
program under s. 118.60, or governing body of the private school participating
24in the program under s. 119.23
shall comply with s. 115.77 (1m) (bg).
SB989,60 25Section 60 . 118.30 (2) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,31,8
1118.30 (2) (b) 2. According to criteria established by the state superintendent
2by rule, the school board, operator of the charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x),
3or governing body of the private school participating in the private school choice
4program under s. 118.60, or governing body of the private school participating in the
5program under s. 119.23
may determine not to administer an examination under this
6section to a limited-English speaking pupil, as defined under s. 115.955 (7), may
7permit the pupil to be examined in his or her native language, or may modify the
8format and administration of an examination for such pupils.
SB989,61 9Section 61 . 118.30 (2) (b) 5. of the statutes is repealed.
SB989,62 10Section 62 . 118.30 (2) (b) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,31,1411 118.30 (2) (b) 6. Upon the request of a pupil's parent or guardian, the governing
12body of a private school participating in the private school choice program under s.
13118.60
shall excuse the pupil from taking an examination administered under sub.
14(1t) (a) to (cm) or s. 118.301 (3).
SB989,63 15Section 63. 118.30 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,31,2316 118.30 (5m) When determining the percentage of pupils participating in the
17private school choice program under s. 119.23 who performed at designated
18proficiency levels on the examinations administered as required under sub. (1s) (1t)
19or s. 118.301 (3), the department shall consider only the pupils participating in the
20private school choice program under s. 119.23 to whom the examinations were
21administered at each grade level, and shall exclude from consideration those pupils
22participating in the private school choice program under s. 119.23 who were excused
23from taking the examinations under sub. (2) (b) 5. 6.
SB989,64 24Section 64 . 118.301 (3) (c) of the statutes is repealed.
SB989,65 25Section 65 . 118.301 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,32,13
1118.301 (3) (d) Notwithstanding s. 118.30 (1t), beginning in the first full school
2year following the date on which the research center submitted the list of approved
3examinations to the department under sub. (2) (a), the governing body of a private
4school participating in a the private school choice program under s. 118.60 that is
5required to administer an examination under s. 118.30 (1t) is not required to
6administer an examination adopted or approved by the state superintendent under
7s. 118.30 (1) in any grade for which an examination is required to be administered
8under s. 118.30 if the governing body administers in that grade an alternative
9examination approved by the research center under sub. (2). If the governing body
10of the private school elects to administer an alternative examination under this
11paragraph, the governing body shall notify the department of its intent to administer
12the examination and shall publish that fact and information about the examination
13on the school's Internet site website.
SB989,66 14Section 66 . 118.301 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,32,1915 118.301 (4) (a) If a school board, an operator of a charter school under s. 118.40
16(2r) or (2x), or the governing body of a private school participating in a the private
17school choice
program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 administers an alternative
18examination under sub. (3), the school board, operator, or governing body shall
19submit the examination results to the research center.
SB989,67 20Section 67 . 118.33 (1) (f) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,33,621 118.33 (1) (f) 2m. The governing body of each private school participating in the
22program under s. 119.23 and the
governing body of a private school that, pursuant
23to s. 115.999 (3), 119.33 (2) (c) 3., or 119.9002 (3) (c), is responsible for the operation
24and general management of a school transferred to an opportunity schools and
25partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 shall

1develop and periodically review and revise a policy specifying criteria for granting
2a high school diploma to pupils attending the private school under s. 119.23 or the
3school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s.
4119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119. The criteria shall include the
5pupil's academic performance, successful completion of the civics test under sub.
6(1m) (a), and the recommendations of teachers.
SB989,68 7Section 68 . 118.33 (1) (f) 2r. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,33,138 118.33 (1) (f) 2r. The governing body of each private school participating in the
9private school choice program under s. 118.60 shall develop and periodically review
10and revise a policy specifying criteria for granting a high school diploma to pupils
11attending the private school under s. 118.60 the private school choice program. The
12criteria shall include the pupil's academic performance, successful completion of the
13civics test under sub. (1m) (a), and the recommendations of teachers.
SB989,69 14Section 69 . 118.33 (1) (f) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,34,915 118.33 (1) (f) 3. Neither a school board nor an operator of a charter school under
16s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) nor an individual or group or person that, pursuant to s. 115.999
17(3), 119.33 (2) (c) 1. or 2., or 119.9002 (3) (a) or (b), is responsible for the operation and
18general management of a school transferred to an opportunity schools and
19partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 may
20grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil has satisfied the criteria
21specified in the school board's or charter school's policy under subd. 1. or 2. Neither
22the governing body of a private school participating in the program under s. 119.23
23nor a
A governing body of a private school that, pursuant to s. 115.999 (3), 119.33
24(2) (c) 3., or 119.9002 (3) (c), is responsible for the operation and general management
25of a school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s.

1119.33, subch. IX of ch. 115, or subch. II of ch. 119 may not grant a high school diploma
2to any pupil attending the private school under s. 119.23 or the school transferred
3to an opportunity schools and partnership program under s. 119.33, subch. IX of ch.
4115, or subch. II of ch. 119 unless the pupil has satisfied the criteria specified in the
5governing body's policy under subd. 2m. The governing body of a private school
6participating in the private school choice program under s. 118.60 may not grant a
7high school diploma to any pupil attending the private school under s. 118.60 the
8private school choice program
unless the pupil has satisfied the criteria specified in
9the governing body's policy under subd. 2r.
SB989,70 10Section 70 . 118.33 (1m) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,34,1911 118.33 (1m) (a) 1. Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, no No school board,
12operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), or governing body of a private
13school participating in a the private school choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23
14may, except as provided in subd. 2. and subject to the policies under sub. (2) (m), grant
15a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil takes, during the high school
16grades, a civics test comprised of 100 questions that are identical to the 100 questions
17that may be asked of an individual during the process of applying for U.S. citizenship
18by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the pupil correctly
19answers at least 65 of those questions.
SB989,71 20Section 71 . 118.33 (1m) (a) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,35,221 118.33 (1m) (a) 2. a. Except as provided in subd. 2. b., a school board, operator
22of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), and governing body of a private school
23participating in a the private school choice program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 shall
24require a pupil for whom an individualized education program under s. 115.787 is
25in effect and a parentally placed child with a disability, as defined in 34 CFR 300.130,

1to complete the civics test described under subd. 1. but may not condition graduation
2on the successful completion of the test.
SB989,72 3Section 72 . 118.33 (1m) (a) 2. b. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,35,104 118.33 (1m) (a) 2. b. If a pupil's individualized education program under s.
5115.787 or a services plan, as defined in 34 CFR 300.37, includes a statement that
6it is not appropriate to administer the civics test under subd. 1. to the pupil, a school
7board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x), and governing body
8of a private school participating in a the private school choice program under s.
9118.60 or 119.23
may not make completion of the civics test described under subd.
101. a condition of graduation for that pupil.
SB989,73 11Section 73 . 118.33 (1m) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,35,1612 118.33 (1m) (a) 3. A school board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40
13(2r) or (2x), and governing body of a private school participating in a the private
14school choice
program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 shall permit a limited-English
15proficient pupil, as defined in s. 115.955 (7), to take the civics test described under
16subd. 1. in the pupil's language of choice.
SB989,74 17Section 74 . 118.33 (1m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,35,2118 118.33 (1m) (b) A school board, operator of a charter school under s. 118.40 (2r)
19or (2x), and governing body of a private school participating in a the private school
20choice
program under s. 118.60 or 119.23 may determine the format of the civics test
21required under this subsection and when in the school year to administer the test.
SB989,75 22Section 75 . 118.33 (6) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 20,
23is repealed.
SB989,76 24Section 76 . 118.33 (6) (cr) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act
2520
, is amended to read:
SB989,36,10
1118.33 (6) (cr) 1. The governing body of each private school participating in the
2private school choice program under s. 118.60 shall adopt a written policy specifying
3criteria for promoting a pupil who is attending the private school under s. 118.60 the
4private school choice program
from the 4th grade to the 5th grade and from the 8th
5grade to the 9th grade. The criteria shall include the pupil's score on the examination
6administered under s. 118.30 (1t) (a) or (b) or s. 118.301 (3), unless the pupil has been
7excused from taking the examination under s. 118.30 (2) (b); the pupil's academic
8performance; the recommendations of teachers, which shall be based solely on the
9pupil's academic performance; and any other academic criteria specified by the
10governing body of the private school.
SB989,36,1611 2. The governing body of a private school participating in the private school
12choice
program under s. 118.60 may not promote a 4th grade pupil who is attending
13the private school under s. 118.60 the private school choice program to the 5th grade,
14and may not promote an 8th grade pupil who is attending the private school under
15s. 118.60
the private school choice program to the 9th grade, unless the pupil satisfies
16the criteria for promotion specified in the governing body's policy under subd. 1.
SB989,37,217 3. By July 1, 2025, the governing body of each private school participating in
18the private school choice program under s. 118.60 shall adopt a written policy
19specifying the criteria for promoting a pupil from the 3rd grade to the 4th grade that
20includes at least a requirement to provide to a pupil promoted to 4th grade who
21scored below grade-level in reading on the examination under s. 121.02 (1) (r) the
22services described in sub. (5m) (a) 1. to 3. and a good cause exception similar to the
23exception under sub. (5m) (b). Beginning on September 1, 2027, the governing body
24of a private school participating in the private school choice program under s. 118.60

1may not promote a 3rd grade pupil to the 4th grade unless the pupil satisfies the
2criteria for promotion specified in the governing body's policy under this subdivision.
SB989,77 3Section 77 . 118.38 (4) of the statutes is repealed.
SB989,78 4Section 78 . 118.40 (2r) (e) 2p. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,37,105 118.40 (2r) (e) 2p. a. Add the amounts appropriated in the current fiscal year
6under s. 20.255 (2), except s. 20.255 (2) (ac), (aw), (az), (bb), (dj), (du), (fm), (fp), (fq),
7(fr), (fu), (k), and (m); and s. 20.505 (4) (es); and the amount, as determined by the
8secretary of administration, of the appropriation under s. 20.505 (4) (s) allocated for
9payments to telecommunications providers under contracts with school districts and
10cooperative educational service agencies under s. 16.971 (13).
SB989,79 11Section 79 . 118.56 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,37,1612 118.56 (1) Require a pupil in the program to work at least 280 hours per school
13year for an employer that complies with sub. (3). Hours of instruction may not be
14used to satisfy the work requirements under this subsection. Hours that fulfill the
15work requirements under this subsection shall be counted as hours of direct pupil
16instruction, as provided under ss. 118.60 (2) (a) 8. and 119.23 (2) (a) 8. s. 118.79 (1).
SB989,80 17Section 80. 118.57 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,38,218 118.57 (1) Annually, by January 31, each school board shall publish as a class
191 notice, under ch. 985, and post on its Internet site website a description of the
20educational options available to children in the school district, including public
21schools, private schools participating in a parental the private school choice
22program, charter schools, virtual schools, full-time or part-time open enrollment in
23a nonresident school district, the youth apprenticeship program under s. 106.13, and
24the early college credit program. A school board that does not operate high school

1grades is not required to include an educational option offered only to high school
2pupils in a description of educational options under this subsection.
SB989,81 3Section 81 . 118.57 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,38,104 118.57 (2) The school board shall include in the notice under sub. (1) the most
5recent performance category assigned under s. 115.385 (1) (b) to each school within
6the school district boundaries, including charter schools established under s. 118.40
7(2r) or (2x) and private schools participating in a parental the private school choice
8program under s. 118.60 or 119.23. The notice published by the school board shall
9inform parents that the full school and school district accountability report is
10available on the school board's Internet site website.
SB989,82 11Section 82. 118.60 (title) and (1) (am) of the statutes are repealed.
SB989,83 12Section 83 . 118.60 (1) (intro.), (ab), (ad), (af), (ag), (bn), (c), (cm), (d) and (g) of
13the statutes are renumbered 118.70 (intro.), (1), (2), (4), (5), (10), (13), (14), (15) and
14(19), and 118.70 (intro.), (2), (4), (5) (intro.) and (c), (10) (a) (intro.) and (b), (13) and
15(14), as renumbered, are amended to read:
SB989,38,16 16118.70 Definitions. (intro.) In this section subchapter:
SB989,38,19 17(2) “Administrator" means the superintendent, supervising principal,
18executive director, or other person who acts as the administrative head of a
19participating private school participating in the program under this section.
SB989,38,22 20(4) “Disqualified accrediting organization" means an accrediting organization
21that is not an accrediting entity or a member of or otherwise sanctioned by an
22accrediting entity.
SB989,39,2 23(5) (intro.) “Disqualified person" means a person who, when a private school
24was barred or terminated from participation in the choice program under this section

1by an order issued under sub. (10) s. 118.85 or s. 118.60 (10), 2023 stats., or s. 119.23
2(10), 2023 stats.
, satisfied at least one of the following:
SB989,39,53 (c) Was responsible for an action or circumstance that led to the private school
4being barred or terminated from participation in the choice program under this
5section
.
SB989,39,8 6(10) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in subd. 2. par. (b), “new private school"
7means a school that qualifies as a private school under s. 115.001 (3r) and that
8satisfies either of the following:
SB989,39,119 (b) “New private school" does not include a private school the governing body
10of which operates or manages a private school that is participating in the choice
11program under this section or under s. 119.23 if all of the following apply:
SB989,39,1412 1. No payment has been withheld from any private school operated or managed
13by the governing body under sub. s. 118.85 or s. 118.60 (10) (d) or, 2023 stats., or s.
14119.23 (10) (d), 2023 stats., in the 3 immediately preceding school years.
SB989,39,1915 2. No order barring any private school operated or managed by the governing
16body from participating in the choice program under this section or s. 119.23 has been
17issued under sub. s. 118.85 or s. 118.60 (10) (a), (am), (ar), or (b) or under, 2023 stats.,
18or
s. 119.23 (10) (a), (am), (ar), or (b), 2023 stats., in the 3 immediately preceding
19school years.
SB989,39,24 20(13) “Preaccreditation" means the review and approval of an educational plan.
21Review of an education educational plan includes consideration of whether the
22school submitting the plan meets the requirements under s. 118.165 (1). The fact
23that a private school has obtained preaccreditation does not require an accrediting
24entity to accredit the private school.
SB989,40,7
1(14) “Preaccrediting entity" means the Institute for the Transformation of
2Learning at Marquette University,
Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin
3Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association
4of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation,
5National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian
6Schools, Christian Schools International, Association of Christian Schools
7International, and the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located.
SB989,84 8Section 84 . 118.60 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 118.72 (1)
9(intro.) and amended to read:
SB989,40,1610 118.72 (1) Eligibility. (intro.) Subject to pars. (ag) and (ar), any Any pupil in
11grades kindergarten to 12 who resides within an eligible school district in this state
12may attend any a participating private school under this section and, subject to pars.
13(ag), (ar), (be), (bm), and (bs), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides in
14a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district,
15may attend any private school under this section
the choice program if all of the
16following apply:
SB989,85 17Section 85 . 118.60 (2) (a) 1. a. of the statutes is renumbered 118.72 (1) (a) and
18amended to read:
SB989,41,219 118.72 (1) (a) Except as provided in par. (bm) Racine pupils and Milwaukee
20pupils.
For a Racine pupil or a Milwaukee pupil, the pupil is a member of a family
21that has a total family income that does not exceed an amount equal to 3.0 times the
22poverty level determined in accordance with criteria established by the director of
23the federal office of management and budget. In this subdivision and sub. (3m),
24family income includes income of the pupil's parents or legal guardians. Except as
25provided in subd. 1. c. and d., the family income of the pupil shall be verified as

1provided in subd. 1. b. A pupil attending a private school under this section whose
2family income increases may continue to attend a private school under this section.
SB989,86 3Section 86. 118.60 (2) (a) 1. b., c. and d. of the statutes are repealed.
SB989,87 4Section 87. 118.60 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.
SB989,88 5Section 88. 118.60 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act
6.... (this act), is repealed.
SB989,89 7Section 89 . 118.60 (2) (a) 3. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB989,41,148 118.60 (2) (a) 3. a. Except as provided in subd. 3. b. and c. and par. (ag) 1., the
9private school notified the state superintendent of its intent to participate in the
10program under this section or in the program under s. 119.23, and paid the
11nonrefundable fee, set by the department as required under s. 119.23 (2) (a) 3., by
12January 10 of the previous school year. The notice shall specify the number of pupils
13participating in the program under this section and in the program under s. 119.23
14for which the school has space.
SB989,90 15Section 90 . 118.60 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is renumbered 118.80 (1) and
16amended to read:
SB989,41,1817 118.80 (1) Nondiscrimination. The Each participating private school complies
18shall comply with 42 USC 2000d.
SB989,91 19Section 91 . 118.60 (2) (a) 5. of the statutes is renumbered 118.80 (2) and
20amended to read:
SB989,41,2221 118.80 (2) Health and safety. The Each participating private school meets
22shall comply with all health and safety laws or codes that apply to public schools.
SB989,92 23Section 92 . 118.60 (2) (a) 6. a. of the statutes is renumbered 118.81 (1) (a) and
24amended to read:
SB989,42,6
1118.81 (1) (a) Except as provided in subd. 6. c. and d., pars. (b) and (c), a
2participating private school shall ensure that
all of the participating private school's
3teachers have a teaching license issued by the department or a bachelor's degree or
4a degree or educational credential higher than a bachelor's degree, including a
5masters master's or doctorate, from a nationally or regionally accredited institution
6of higher education.
SB989,93 7Section 93 . 118.60 (2) (a) 6. b. of the statutes is renumbered 118.81 (2) (a) and
8amended to read:
SB989,42,139 118.81 (2) (a) All Except as provided in par. (b), a participating private school
10shall ensure that all
of the participating private school's administrators have at least
11a bachelor's degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher
12education or a teaching license or administrator's administrator license issued by the
13department.
SB989,94 14Section 94 . 118.60 (2) (a) 6. c. and d. of the statutes are repealed.
SB989,95 15Section 95 . 118.60 (2) (a) 7. a. of the statutes is repealed.
SB989,96 16Section 96 . 118.60 (2) (a) 7. b. of the statutes is renumbered 118.74 (1) and
17amended to read:
SB989,43,718 118.74 (1) Preaccreditation. Each private school that begins participation in
19the choice program under this section on or after April 10, 2014, and that is not
20accredited by an accrediting entity, shall obtain preaccreditation by a preaccrediting
21entity by the first weekday in August 1 before the first school term in which the
22private school begins participation in the choice program under this section, or by the
23first weekday in
May 1 if the private school begins participating in the choice
24program during summer school. In any school year, a A private school to which this
25subd. 7. b. applies
may apply for and seek to obtain preaccreditation from only one

1preaccrediting entity each school year. A private school to which this subd. 7. b.
2applies
that fails to obtain preaccreditation as required under this subd. 7. b.
3subsection may not participate in the choice program under this section or under s.
4119.23
until preaccreditation has been obtained, but the private school may apply for
5and seek to obtain preaccreditation from a preaccrediting entity for the following a
6subsequent
school year. The fact that a private school has obtained preaccreditation
7does not require an accrediting entity to accredit the private school.
SB989,97 8Section 97 . 118.60 (2) (a) 7. c. of the statutes is renumbered 118.74 (2) (intro.)
9and amended to read:
SB989,43,1310 118.74 (2) Initial accreditation. (intro.) A private school to which subd. 7. b.
11applies
that is not accredited by the first weekday in August before the first school
12term in which the private school begins participating in the choice program
shall
13apply do all of the following:
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