115.51(2)
(2) "Deaf" includes persons who because of some pathological or functional cause cannot attain proficiency in speech without special instruction and training.
115.51 History
History: 1995 a. 27 s.
9145 (1);
1997 a. 27,
164.
115.52
115.52
Wisconsin schools for the visually handicapped and the deaf. 115.52(1)(1) The object of the Wisconsin school for the visually handicapped and the Wisconsin school for the deaf is to afford persons with visual impairments and persons with hearing impairments a practical education and physical rehabilitation which may aid them to make a living, discharge their duties as citizens and secure to them all possible happiness.
115.52(2)
(2) The state superintendent shall maintain and govern the school for the visually handicapped and the school for the deaf. The state superintendent may fix the period of the school year at the schools at not less than 38 weeks, prescribe the school terms and confer diplomas upon meritorious pupils who have completed the prescribed curricula.
115.52(3)
(3) All the blind and the deaf residents of this state 6 to 20 years old, and for the duration of a school term all the blind or deaf residents of this state who become 21 years old during that school term, who are capable of receiving instruction shall be received and taught in the schools free of charge. Like nonresident pupils also may be received upon payment in advance of the fees fixed by the state superintendent at an amount not less than $75 per month, but no nonresident shall be received to the exclusion of a resident pupil. The state superintendent also may admit pupils who are 21 years of age or older prior to the beginning of a school term upon the payment of fees fixed by the superintendent and upon the recommendation of the secretary of health and family services, the director of the technical college system or the superintendent of the school to which the pupil will be assigned. All pupils shall equally and freely enjoy the benefits and privileges of the schools and have the use of the library and books of instruction and receive board, lodging and laundry, without discrimination. The schools may provide transportation for resident pupils.
115.52(5)
(5) The state superintendent may grant approval for the maintenance of a summer school at the school for the deaf whenever it will be to the advantage of persons with hearing impairments and may grant approval for the maintenance of a summer school at the school for the visually handicapped whenever it will be to the advantage of children with visual impairments. There shall be a summer school each year at the school for the visually handicapped for adults with visual impairments.
115.52(6)
(6) The state superintendent may make charges for meals, living quarters, laundry and other services furnished to employes of the schools and their families. The state superintendent also may make charges for services furnished to visitors at the schools and participants in training programs and institutes.
115.52(7)
(7) The Wisconsin school for the deaf may provide instruction for preschool children with hearing impairments and their parents. The Wisconsin school for the visually handicapped may provide instruction for preschool children with visual impairments and their parents. Such instruction or treatment shall be subject to the approval of, and shall comply with requirements established by, the department.
115.53
115.53
State superintendent; powers. The state superintendent may:
115.53(2)
(2) Arrange for vocational, trade or academic training for any pupil in either state school qualified to take such training advantageously, in either a public school or technical college or a private business establishment in Janesville or Delavan. The public school and the technical college shall be paid the regular tuition for full-time attendance and proportionally for part-time attendance by the school district responsible for the provision of a free appropriate public education under
subch. V.
115.53(3)
(3) Arrange for otological or ophthalmic examination of any pupil or prospective pupil of the schools. The examination shall be paid for from the appropriation in
s. 20.255 (1) (b).
115.53(4)
(4) Apply to the board of directors of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority for admission to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics of any pupil in the state schools.
115.53(4)(a)
(a) The application shall be accompanied by the report of a physician appointed by the appropriate school superintendent and shall be in the same form as reports of other physicians for admission of patients to such hospital.
115.53(4)(b)
(b) The net cost of hospital treatment shall be at the rate established under
s. 233.40 (1) and shall be chargeable to the appropriation for operating the patient's school. The state superintendent likewise may authorize payment for the expense of transporting patients to and from the hospital. The state superintendent shall make payments for the treatment to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. Funds collected by the state superintendent on account of the hospitalization shall be deposited in the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (1) (b) for the school concerned.
115.53(5)
(5) Arrange for visits by members of the staff of either school to other public schools or to families of blind or deaf children, whenever it appears to the state superintendent that such visits will be of advantage to blind or deaf children.
115.53(6)
(6) Charge the school district responsible for a pupil's placement in a school under this subchapter for the costs of transporting the pupil to and from the pupil's home on weekends. All fees received under this subsection shall be deposited in the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (1) (gt).
115.53 Annotation
The state superintendent does not have the authority to determine whether public schools are segregated or the authority to take enforceable action to desegregate public schools. 65 Atty. Gen. 282.
115.54
115.54
Compulsory education. If it appears, by affidavit, to any circuit judge that any blind or deaf child between the ages of 6 and 21 is deprived of a suitable education by the failure of the person having the care and custody of the child to provide a suitable education, the judge shall order the person to bring the child before the judge. If the material allegations of the affidavit are denied, the judge shall subpoena witnesses and hear testimony. If the allegations are admitted or established, the judge may order the child sent to the school for the visually handicapped or for the deaf or to some class or other school for instruction, but the order shall not make a direct charge for the class or school against any county.
115.54 History
History: 1977 c. 449.
115.55
115.55
Library for persons with visual impairments. Embossed, clear type or large type text books acquired by the school for the visually handicapped shall constitute a circulating collection for persons with visual impairments. The collection shall be kept at the school and be under the supervision of its superintendent. All school age children with visual impairments of the state may use such books upon compliance with rules made by the superintendent and approved by the state superintendent.
115.58
115.58
Park grounds. The state superintendent may permit the city of Janesville to use portions of the grounds of the state school for the visually handicapped at Janesville, which abut on the Rock river, for purposes of operating a city park. Any construction on such grounds is subject to prior approval by the state superintendent. Any agreement pursuant hereto shall be cancelable at the option of either party without liability. Any such grounds so used by the city of Janesville shall be supervised by the city and shall be subject to the ordinances of the city of Janesville applicable to city parks.
115.58 History
History: 1995 a. 27 s.
9145 (1);
1997 a. 27.
AMERICAN INDIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE EDUCATION PROGRAM
115.71
115.71
Definitions. In this subchapter:
115.71(1)
(1) "Alternative school" means any nonsectarian private school or tribally operated school in this state which complies with the requirements of
42 USC 2000d and in which at least 75% of the pupils enrolled are American Indians.
115.71(2)
(2) "American Indian" means any person who is:
115.71(2)(a)
(a) A member of a tribe, band or other organized group of Indians, including those tribes, bands or groups terminated since 1940, or who is a descendant in the first or 2nd degree of any such member;
115.71(2)(b)
(b) Considered by the federal government, on May 22, 1980, to be an Indian for any purpose;
115.71(2)(c)
(c) An Eskimo, Aleut or other Alaska native; or
115.71(4)
(4) "Home school coordinator" means a person employed by the school district to promote communication between the school and the American Indian community.
115.71(5)
(5) "Tribal education authority" means the educational authority of a tribe, band or other organized group of American Indians, which may be vested in a tribal department or division of education, a tribal school board, a tribal education committee or any similar body.
115.72
115.72
Establishment of programs. 115.72(1)
(1) Any school district enrolling American Indian pupils, or alternative school, may establish, on a voluntary basis, an American Indian language and culture education program. The program shall be designed to:
115.72(1)(a)
(a) Make the school curriculum more relevant to the needs, interests and cultural heritage of American Indian pupils.
115.72(1)(b)
(b) Provide reinforcement of the positive self-image of American Indian pupils.
115.72(1)(c)
(c) Develop intercultural awareness among pupils, parents and staff.
115.72(2)
(2) The American Indian language and culture education program may include:
115.72(2)(a)
(a) Instruction in American Indian language, literature, history and culture.
115.72(2)(b)
(b) In-service training and technical assistance for staff in regard to methods of teaching American Indian pupils.
115.72(2)(c)
(c) Vocational education and counseling for American Indian pupils.
115.72(2)(d)
(d) Modification of curriculum, instructional methods and administrative procedures to meet the needs of American Indian pupils.
115.72(2)(e)
(e) Tests of the academic achievement of the American Indian pupils enrolled.
115.72(2)(f)
(f) Identification of the educational needs of the American Indian pupils enrolled.
115.72(2)(g)
(g) Classification of American Indian pupils enrolled by grade, level of education, age and achievement.
115.72(3)
(3) The school board of a district establishing an American Indian language and culture education program may designate the school or schools in which the program shall be offered. The parent or guardian of an American Indian pupil may transfer the pupil to the school in which the program is offered, if it is in the same district, in order for the pupil to participate in the program.
115.72(4)
(4) American Indian language and culture education programs established under this subchapter shall be located in school facilities in which regular classes in a variety of subjects are offered on a daily basis.
115.72 History
History: 1979 c. 346.
115.73
115.73
Program requirements. 115.73(1)
(1) Each school district and alternative school, before establishing a program under this subchapter, shall develop a plan which:
115.73(1)(a)
(a) Identifies the activities, methods and programs to be used to meet the identified educational needs of the pupils to be enrolled in the program.
115.73(1)(b)
(b) Describes how the program will be organized, staffed, coordinated and evaluated.
115.73(2)
(2) Each school district and alternative school operating a program under this subchapter shall maintain records concerning the number of American Indian pupils enrolled in the program and of all sums expended in connection with the program. The school district or alternative school shall make affirmative efforts to encourage participation of American Indian pupils in the program by providing for meetings with parents and guardians of American Indian pupils to explain the nature of the program.
115.73 History
History: 1979 c. 346.
115.735
115.735
Parent advisory committee. 115.735(1)
(1) Each school district and alternative school which establishes a program under this subchapter shall establish an American Indian parent advisory committee, appointed by the school board, to afford parents and educators of American Indian pupils the opportunity to advise the school board of their views and to ensure that a program is planned, operated and evaluated with their involvement and consultation. If there is a local tribal education authority, the school board shall appoint committee members from recommendations submitted by the authority.
115.735(2)
(2) The committee shall be composed of parents or guardians of American Indian pupils enrolled in the program, teachers, aides and counselors involved in the program and representatives of local tribal education authorities, but a majority of the members of each committee shall be parents or guardians of American Indian pupils enrolled in the program.
115.735(3)
(3) If an advisory committee exists which meets the requirements of
sub. (2), it may serve as the parent advisory committee. If the school board consists solely of parents or guardians of American Indian pupils, it may serve as the parent advisory committee.
115.735 History
History: 1979 c. 346.
115.74
115.74
Assessment of needs and evaluation of resources. 115.74(1)(1) On or before July 1 in every even-numbered year, the state superintendent shall:
115.74(1)(a)
(a) Conduct a statewide assessment of the need for American Indian language and culture education programs. The assessment shall include information on:
115.74(1)(a)1.
1. Numbers, ages, location and tribal affiliation of American Indian pupils.
115.74(1)(a)2.
2. Concentration of American Indian pupils in attendance areas, as defined in
s. 121.845 (1), within each school district by tribal affiliation.
115.74(1)(a)3.
3. Rates of American Indian children receiving special education and related services under
subch. V of ch. 115 in comparison with statewide and district-wide rates.
115.74(1)(a)4.
4. Advancement, achievement levels and dropout rates of American Indian pupils in comparison with average advancement and dropout rates.
115.74(1)(b)
(b) Evaluate the American Indian language and culture education programs established under this subchapter. Alternative school programs shall be evaluated under this paragraph only with the permission of the school.
115.74(2)
(2) Annually, on or before July 1, the state superintendent shall evaluate all available resources and programs which are or could be directed toward meeting the educational needs of American Indian pupils. The evaluation shall include information on:
115.74(2)(a)
(a) Numbers, locations and qualifications of teachers, administrators, counselors and others from American Indian backgrounds who are interested in working in American Indian language and culture education programs.
115.74(2)(b)
(b) Programs in this state designed for the preparation of American Indian language and culture education teachers.
115.74(2)(c)
(c) The effectiveness of programs for American Indian pupils in this state other than programs established under this subchapter.
115.74(2)(d)
(d) The effectiveness of preservice and in-service programs for staffs of American Indian language and culture education programs.
115.74(2)(e)
(e) The tests, criteria, procedures and methods used to identify, test, assess and classify American Indian pupils.
115.74(3)
(3) The assessment of needs under
sub. (1) (a) and the evaluation of resources under
sub. (2) shall be performed on Indian reservations and in other Indian communities recognized by the federal government only in conjunction with, or with the permission of, the respective tribal governments.
115.74(4)
(4) The state superintendent shall prepare a biennial report which shall be included as an addendum to the department's biennial report under
s. 15.04 (1) (d). The report shall include the results of the most recent assessment of needs and evaluation of programs under
sub. (1), the evaluation of resources under
sub. (2) and recommendations for legislation in the area of American Indian language and culture education.
115.75
115.75
Aid to alternative schools. 115.75(1)(a)(a) Subject to the requirements of
par. (b), each alternative school operating an American Indian language and culture education program under this subchapter shall receive state aid, from the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (2) (ci), in an amount equal to $185 for each pupil who has completed the fall semester in the program.
115.75(1)(b)
(b) No alternative school may receive state aid under this section unless the state superintendent:
115.75(1)(b)1.
1. Determines that the alternative school has adequate management and accounting capacity and that the school agrees that its accounts related to the program may be audited.
