115.01(10)
(10) School day. School days are days on which school is actually taught and the following days on which school is not taught:
115.01(10)(a)
(a) Days on which school is closed by order of the school district administrator because of inclement weather and days on which parent-teacher conferences are held, not to exceed 5 days during the school term.
115.01(10)(b)
(b) Days on which school is closed by order of a local health officer, as defined in
s. 250.01 (5), or the department of health services.
115.01(10)(c)
(c) Days on which school is closed by order of the school district administrator because of a threat to the health or safety of pupils or school personnel, but not including inclement weather, unless the school board determines that the days will not count as school days.
115.01(12)
(12) Distance. The distance between home and school shall be measured from building to building along the usually traveled route.
115.01(13)(a)(a) Whenever an action may be taken by a percentage of electors in an area, that percentage shall be based on the number of electors who voted for governor at the last general election in that area.
115.01(13)(b)
(b) If the area does not coincide with a municipality or part thereof for which election statistics are kept, the number of electors shall be determined as follows:
115.01(13)(b)1.
1. The area of the school district in square miles shall be divided by the area of the municipality in square miles in which it lies.
115.01(13)(b)2.
2. The vote for governor at the last general election in the municipality within which the school district lies shall be multiplied by the quotient determined under
subd. 1. to determine the required number of electors.
115.01(13)(c)
(c) If a school district is in more than one municipality, the method of determination under
par. (b) shall be used for each part of the school district which constitutes only a fractional part of any area for which election statistics are kept.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Subch. II of ch. 115 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also
PI, Wis. adm. code.
115.28
115.28
General duties. The state superintendent shall:
115.28(1)
(1) General supervision. Ascertain the condition of the public schools, stimulate interest in education and spread as widely as possible a knowledge of the means and methods which may be employed to improve the schools.
115.28(2)
(2) Sectarianism. Exclude all sectarian books and instruction from the public schools.
115.28(3)
(3) Supervision of schools. Supervise and inspect the public schools and day schools for children with disabilities, advise the principals and local authorities thereof and give assistance in organizing such schools.
115.28(3m)
(3m) Supervision of cooperative educational service agencies; rules. 115.28(3m)(a)(a) Supervise and audit the receipts and expenditures of the cooperative educational service agencies, conduct program review of the agencies, supervise boundary reorganization where necessary, advise the administrators of the agencies and provide assistance in organizing the agencies throughout the state.
115.28(3m)(b)
(b) Promulgate rules establishing procedures for the reorganization of cooperative educational service agencies and boundary appeals.
115.28(4)
(4) Public information. By reports, bulletins, circulars, correspondence and public addresses, give the public information upon the different methods of school organization and management and the subject of education generally.
115.28(5)
(5) Appeals. Examine and determine all appeals which by law are made to the state superintendent and prescribe rules of practice in respect thereto, not inconsistent with law.
115.28 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
PI 1, Wis. adm. code.
115.28(6)
(6) Annual conventions. Annually, hold conventions of school district administrators, supervisors and agency coordinators.
115.28(7)(a)(a) License all teachers for the public schools of the state; make rules establishing standards of attainment and procedures for the examination and licensing of teachers within the limits prescribed in
ss. 118.19 (2) and
(3),
118.192, and
118.195; prescribe by rule standards, requirements, and procedures for the approval of teacher preparatory programs leading to licensure, including a requirement that, beginning on July 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, each teacher preparatory program located in this state shall submit to the department a list of individuals who have completed the program and who have been recommended by the program for licensure under this subsection, together with each individual's date of program completion, from each term or semester of the program's most recently completed academic year; file in the state superintendent's office all papers relating to state teachers' licenses; and register each such license.
115.28(7)(b)
(b) Subject to the same rules and laws concerning qualifications of applicants and granting and revocation of licenses or certificates under
par. (a), the state superintendent shall grant certificates and licenses to teachers in private schools and tribal schools, except that teaching experience requirements for such certificates and licenses may be fulfilled by teaching experience in public, private, or tribal schools. An applicant is not eligible for a license or certificate unless the state superintendent finds that the private school or tribal school in which the applicant taught offered an adequate educational program during the period of the applicant's teaching therein. Private schools are not obligated to employ only licensed or certified teachers.
115.28(7)(c)
(c) Subject to
s. 118.19 (4m), license and make rules for the examination and licensing of persons, including teachers, employed to provide publicly funded special education and related services, as those terms are defined in
s. 115.76 (14) and
(15).
115.28(7)(d)
(d) Annually, establish fees for the certification or licensure of school and public library personnel sufficient to fund certification and licensing administrative costs.
115.28(7)(e)1.1. In this paragraph, "alternative education program" means an instructional program, approved by the school board, that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques and that is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms or regularly scheduled curricular programs or that is offered in place of regularly scheduled curricular programs. "Alternative educational program" does not include a private school, a tribal school, or a home-based private educational program.
115.28(7)(e)2.
2. Promulgate rules establishing requirements for licensure as an alternative education program teacher and for the approval of teacher education programs leading to licensure as an alternative education program teacher. The rules shall include a requirement that each teacher education program described in this subdivision and located in this state shall, beginning on July 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, submit to the department a list of individuals who have completed the program and who have been recommended by the program for licensure under this subdivision, together with each individual's date of program completion, from each term or semester of the program's most recently completed academic year. The rules shall encompass the teaching of multiple subjects or grade levels or both, as determined by the state superintendent. The rules may require teacher education programs to grant credit towards licensure as an alternative education program teacher for relevant experience or demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and knowledge.
115.28 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
PI 34, Wis. adm. code.
115.28(7)(f)
(f) The department may not charge a fee for the issuance of a license, permit, or certificate to an individual who is eligible for the veterans fee waiver program under
s. 45.44.
115.28(7)(g)
(g) Notwithstanding
s. 118.19 (3),
(4m),
(6) to
(9), and
(12) to
(14), grant a charter school teaching license to any person who has a bachelor's degree and demonstrates, based upon criteria established by the department, that the person is proficient in the subject or subjects that he or she intends to teach. The license authorizes the person to teach that subject or those subjects in a charter school. The license is valid for 3 years and is renewable for 3-year periods.
115.28(7)(gm)
(gm) Notwithstanding
s. 118.19 (8),
(9), and
(11), grant an initial charter school principal license to any person who is licensed, or otherwise credentialed, to be a school principal in another state if the person holds the license or other credential in good standing, has completed at least 3 years of full-time classroom teaching, and is eligible for licensure under
s. 118.19 (4) and
(10). The license authorizes the person to be a principal of a charter school. The license is valid for 5 years and is renewable for 5-year periods.
115.28(7)(h)
(h) Promulgate a rule requiring an applicant for a license to provide his or her home address.
115.28(7g)
(7g) Evaluation of teacher preparatory programs. 115.28(7g)(a)(a) The department shall, in consultation with the governor's office, the chairpersons of the committees in the assembly and senate whose subject matter is elementary and secondary education and ranking members of those committees, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, do all of the following:
115.28(7g)(a)1.
1. Determine how the performance of individuals who have recently completed a teacher preparatory program described in
s. 115.28 (7) (a) and located in this state or a teacher education program described in
s. 115.28 (7) (e) 2. and located in this state will be used to evaluate the teacher preparatory and education programs. The determination under this subdivision shall, at minimum, define "recently completed" and identify measures to assess an individual's performance, including the performance assessment made prior to making a recommendation for licensure.
115.28(7g)(a)2.
2. Determine how the measures of performance of individuals who have recently completed a teacher preparatory or education program identified as required under
subd. 1. will be made accessible to the public.
115.28(7g)(a)3.
3. Develop a system to publicly report the measures of performance identified as required under
subd. 1. for each teacher preparatory and education program identified in
subd. 1.
115.28(7g)(b)
(b) Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, the department shall use the system developed under
par. (a) 3. to annually report for each program identified in
par. (a) 1. the passage rate on first attempt of students and graduates of the program on examinations administered for licensure under
s. 115.28 (7) and any other information required to be reported under
par. (a) 1.
115.28(7g)(c)
(c) Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, each teacher preparatory and education program shall prominently display and annually update the passage rate on first attempt of recent graduates of the program on examinations administered for licensure under
s. 115.28 (7) and any other information required to be reported under
par. (a) 1. on the program's Web site and provide this information to persons receiving admissions materials to the program.
115.28(7m)
(7m) Certification of school nurses. Certify school nurses, make rules for the examination and certification of school nurses and file in the state superintendent's office all papers relating to school nurses certification and register each such certification.
115.28(9)
(9) Federal aids. Accept federal funds for any function over which the state superintendent has jurisdiction and act as the agent for the receipt and disbursement of such funds.
115.28 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
PI 23, Wis. adm. code.
115.28(10)
(10) Educational assessment. Develop an educational assessment program to measure objectively the adequacy and efficiency of educational programs offered by public schools in this state. The program shall include methods by which pupil achievement in reading, mathematics, writing, science, social science and other areas of instruction commonly offered by public schools will be objectively measured each year. Assessment shall be undertaken at several grade levels on a uniform, statewide basis.
115.28(11)
(11) Driver education courses. Approve driver education courses offered by school districts, county children with disabilities education boards, and technical college districts for the purposes of
s. 343.16 (1) (c) 1. and establish minimum standards for driver education courses offered in private schools and tribal schools for the purposes of
s. 343.16 (1) (c) 3. All driver education courses approved or for which standards are established under this subsection shall do all of the following:
115.28(11)(a)
(a) Acquaint each student with the hazards posed by farm machinery and animals on highways and provide instruction in safely dealing with such hazards.
115.28(11)(b)
(b) Provide at least 30 minutes of instruction relating to organ and tissue donation and organ and tissue donation procedures.
115.28(11)(c)
(c) Provide at least 30 minutes of instruction on motorcycle awareness, as approved by a recognized motorcycle safety and awareness organization, and pedestrian and bicycle awareness, as approved by a recognized pedestrian and bicycle safety and awareness organization.
115.28(11)(d)
(d) Include instruction relating to passing stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and highway machinery equipment.
115.28(11)(e)
(e) Acquaint each student with the hazards posed by railroad highway grade crossings and provide at least 30 minutes of instruction in safely dealing with these hazards.
115.28(11)(f)
(f) Acquaint each student with the hazards posed by composing or sending electronic text messages or electronic mail messages while driving and with the provisions of
s. 346.89 (3)
.
115.28 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
PI 21, Wis. adm. code.
115.28(11)(g)
(g) Acquaint each student with the hazards posed by motor vehicles to vulnerable highway users, as defined in
s. 340.01 (74p), and provide at least 30 minutes of instruction in safely dealing with these hazards.
115.28(13)
(13) Uniform financial fund accounting. Prescribe a uniform financial fund accounting system, applicable to all school districts and county children with disabilities education boards, which provides for the recording of all financial transactions inherent in the management of schools and county children with disabilities education board programs and the administration of the state's school aid programs.
115.28(14)
(14) Minority group pupil census. Establish procedures under which school districts report annually the number of minority group pupils, as defined in
s. 121.845 (2), residing in the school district and attending public schools in the district so as to be able to classify school districts under
s. 121.85 (2).
115.28(15)(a)(a) Establish, by rule, standards for the approval of the abilities of certified teachers and counselors and their aides participating in bilingual-bicultural education programs under
subch. VII to read, write and speak a non-English language and to possess knowledge of the culture of limited-English proficient pupils.
115.28(15)(b)
(b) Establish, by rule, minimum standards for bilingual-bicultural education programs under
subch. VII.
115.28(17)
(17) American Indian language and culture education. 115.28(17)(a)(a) Establish by rule standards for certifying the abilities of teachers participating in American Indian language and culture education programs under
subch. IV to read and write or speak an American Indian language and to possess knowledge of American Indian history and culture.
115.28(17)(b)
(b) Establish by rule standards for certifying the abilities of home school coordinators, counselors and aides participating in American Indian language and culture education programs under
subch. IV to possess knowledge of American Indian history and culture.
115.28(17)(d)
(d) Develop a curriculum for grades 4 to 12 on the Chippewa Indians' treaty-based, off-reservation rights to hunt, fish and gather.
115.28(18)
(18) Pupil membership audits. Annually require at least 25% of school boards to audit the number of pupils reported for membership purposes under
s. 120.14 (1).
115.28(19)
(19) Federal discretionary funds. Ensure that federal aid received under
20 USC 1411 (c) (1) (A) is not used to supplant or replace funding available from other sources.
115.28(20)
(20) Council for Milwaukee public schools grant programs. Appoint a council under
s. 15.04 (1) (c) composed of residents of the school district established under
ch. 119 who are selected to reflect the pluralistic nature of the school district. The council shall:
115.28(20)(a)
(a) Advise the state superintendent on funding criteria and evaluation plans for grant programs for the school district operating under
ch. 119.
115.28(20)(b)
(b) Advise the state superintendent on the programs that meet or do not meet the funding criteria.
115.28(20)(c)
(c) Assist the state superintendent in monitoring the progress of funded programs.
115.28(20)(d)
(d) Recommend to the state superintendent needed changes in statutes or rules relating to grant programs.
115.28(20)(e)
(e) Submit to the state superintendent an annual report detailing the council's activities, accomplishments and projected needs.
115.28(20)(f)
(f) Assist in ensuring that various grant programs operate compatibly.
115.28(22)
(22) Information for tax bills. By November 1, provide to the department of revenue the information about school aids distributed to each school district that will enable that department to furnish to taxation districts the information required under
s. 73.03 (31).
115.28(23)
(23) Wisconsin educational opportunity programs. Administer Wisconsin educational opportunity programs on a statewide basis to assist minority and economically disadvantaged youth and adults in pursuing higher education opportunities. The statewide programs shall consist of all of the following:
115.28(23)(a)
(a) A talent search program which shall provide information to youths and adults about postsecondary education and counseling to aid pupils in defining educational goals, applying and enrolling in postsecondary institutions and obtaining financial aid.
115.28(23)(b)
(b) A talent incentive program which shall provide supplemental aid to financially needy pupils to promote attendance at postsecondary institutions.
115.28(23)(c)
(c) An early identification program which shall provide services to pupils under
s. 115.44.
115.28(25)
(25) School technology resource grants. Consult with the department of administration before awarding school technology resource grants under
20 USC 6842.
115.28(26)
(26) Periodical and reference information databases. Contract with one or more persons to provide statewide access, through the Internet, to periodical and reference information databases.
115.28(27)
(27) WISElearn. Develop and maintain an online resource, called WISElearn, to provide educational resources for parents, teachers, and pupils; offer online learning opportunities; provide regional technical support centers; provide professional development for teachers; and enable video conferencing.
115.28(30)
(30) Career and technical student organizations.
