115.883(2)(a)(a) In the 2008-09 school year, the department shall pay each school district eligible for aid under this section the same amount. In each school year thereafter, the department shall distribute aid under this section to eligible school districts proportionally based upon each school district's expenditures for special education in the previous school year, except that in any school year a school district, other than a school district described in
par. (b), may receive not less than $50,000, and not more than $150,000 or an amount equal to 50 percent of the school district's expenditures for special education in the previous school year, whichever is less.
115.883(2)(b)
(b) If, at the end of the 2014-15 fiscal year and after distributing aid to eligible school districts in the manner specified under
par. (a), there are any moneys remaining in the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (2) (be), the department shall distribute the balance of the funds remaining in that appropriation to a school district to which all of the following apply:
115.883(2)(b)1.
1. In the 2013-14 school year, the school district's revenue authority per pupil under
subch. VII of ch. 121 was below the statewide average.
115.883(2)(b)2.
2. In the 2013-14 school year, the school district's membership, as defined in
s. 121.004 (5), was less than 2,000 pupils.
115.883(2)(b)3.
3. The school district qualified for aid under this section in the 2013-14 school year.
115.883(2)(b)4.
4. In the 2013-14 school year, the school district experienced a natural disaster, including a fire, that caused the school district's total costs to increase such that the school district's expenditures for special education constituted less than 16 percent of the school district's total expenditures in that school year.
115.883(3)
(3) A school district receiving aid under
s. 115.881 in any school year is not eligible for aid under this section in that school year.
115.883 History
History: 2007 a. 20;
2015 a. 55.
115.884
115.884
Special education transition grants. 115.884(1)
(1) In the 2016-17 school year, from the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (2) (bf), the department shall award an incentive grant in the amount of $1,000 per individual to a school district, or to an operator of a charter school established under
s. 118.40 (2r), that applies for a grant under this section and that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the individual satisfies all of the following criteria:
115.884(1)(a)
(a) The individual was enrolled in a school in the school district or in the charter school in the 2014-15 or 2015-16 school year and, at the time of his or her enrollment, an individualized education program was in effect for the individual.
115.884(1)(b)
(b) At the time the school district or the operator of the charter school applies to receive an incentive grant under this section, one of the following criteria applies to the individual described in
par. (a):
115.884(1)(b)1.
1. The individual had enrolled in a higher education program within one year of leaving high school. In this subdivision, “higher education program" means a 4-year program at a college or university, a 2-year program at a college or community college, or a 2-year program at a technical college.
115.884(1)(b)2.
2. The individual had enrolled in other postsecondary education or training within one year of leaving high school. In this subdivision, “other postsecondary education or training" includes a high school completion or equivalency program, a vocational school, an apprenticeship or short-term training program, an on-the-job training program, an adult education program, and a program, other than a 2-year program, at a vocational or technical school.
115.884(1)(b)3.
3. The individual had been, or remains, competitively employed within one year of leaving high school. In this subdivision, “competitively employed" means 90 days or more of cumulative or consecutive work paying minimum wage or greater for an average of at least 20 hours per week in a setting with others who are not disabled.
115.884(2)
(2) If the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (2) (bf) in the 2016-17 school year is insufficient to pay the full amount under
sub. (1), the department shall prorate the amount of its payments among school districts and operators of charter schools established under
s. 118.40 (2r) that are eligible for an incentive grant under this section.
115.884 History
History: 2015 a. 55.
115.897
115.897
Exhaustion of remedies. Before the filing of a civil action under any federal law seeking any relief that is also available under this subchapter, the procedures under
s. 115.80 shall be exhausted to the same extent as would be required had the action been brought under this subchapter.
115.897 History
History: 1997 a. 164.
115.898 History
History: 1997 a. 164.
115.90
115.90
Noncompliance; remedies. 115.90(1)
(1) If, as the result of a monitoring procedure or a complaint investigation, the state superintendent finds that a local educational agency has violated this subchapter, the state superintendent may require the local educational agency to submit a corrective plan addressing the violation.
115.90(2)
(2) If the state superintendent, after reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing, finds that a local educational agency has failed to comply with any requirement in this subchapter, the state superintendent shall reduce or eliminate special education aid to the local educational agency until he or she is satisfied that the local educational agency is complying with that requirement.
115.90(3)
(3) If the state superintendent finds that a corrective plan under
sub. (1) has not been implemented, or that withholding aid under
sub. (2) has been inadequate to ensure compliance with this subchapter, the state superintendent shall request the attorney general to proceed against the local educational agency for injunctive or other appropriate relief.
115.90 History
History: 1997 a. 164.
EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL AGE PARENTS
115.91
115.91
Definition. In this subchapter, “school age parent" means any person under the age of 21 who is not a high school graduate and is a parent, an expectant parent or a person who has been pregnant within the immediately preceding 120 days.
115.915
115.915
Availability of program services and modifications. Each school board shall make available to any school age parent who is a resident of the school district program modifications and services that will enable the pupil to continue his or her education.
115.915 History
History: 1985 a. 29 s.
1712;
1985 a. 56; Stats. 1985 s. 115.915.
115.92
115.92
Establishment of programs; rules. 115.92(1)
(1) Any school board may establish a program for school age parents who are residents of the school district. The program shall be designed to provide services and instruction to meet the needs of school age parents, including education on the skills required of a parent; family planning, as defined in
s. 253.07 (1) (a), including natural family planning; and instruction on adoption and adoption services. The instruction provided on adoption and adoption services shall include instruction on the options available and the procedures followed in independent and agency adoptions, including current practices regarding a birth parent's involvement in the selection of an adoptive home and the sharing of information between birth parents and adoptive parents, instruction on the impact of adoption on birth parents and children who have been adopted and an explanation that the adoption process may be initiated even after a child has been born and has left the hospital. The program shall be coordinated with existing vocational and job training programs in the school district.
115.92(2)(a)(a) Annually, and at such other times as the department requires, every school board that establishes a program under this subchapter shall submit a written report to the department. The report shall specify the number of school age parents instructed or provided service.
115.92(2)(b)
(b) Annually, on or before September 15, each school board maintaining a program under this subchapter shall submit to the department an itemized statement on oath of all revenues and expenditures related to the program during the preceding school year.
115.92(3)
(3) The state superintendent shall by rule establish criteria for the approval of programs established under this subchapter for the purpose of determining those programs eligible for aid under
s. 115.93.
115.92 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
PI 19, Wis. adm. code.
115.93
115.93
State aid. If upon receipt of the reports under
s. 115.92 (2) the state superintendent is satisfied that the school age parents program has been maintained during the preceding school year in accordance with the rules under
s. 115.92 (3), the state superintendent shall certify to the department of administration in favor of each school district maintaining the program a sum equal to the amount expended by the school district during the preceding school year for salaries of teachers and instructional aides, special transportation and other expenses approved by the state superintendent as costs eligible for reimbursement from the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (2) (b).
BILINGUAL-BICULTURAL EDUCATION
Subch. VII of ch. 115 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
PI 13, Wis. adm. code.
115.95
115.95
Legislative findings and declaration of policy. 115.95(1)(a)
(a) There are pupils in this state who enter elementary and secondary school with limited or nonexistent English speaking ability due to the use of another language in their family or in their daily, nonschool environment.
115.95(1)(b)
(b) Classes conducted in English do not always provide adequate instruction for children whose English language abilities are limited or nonexistent.
115.95(1)(c)
(c) It is beneficial to pupils from bicultural and monocultural backgrounds to participate in bilingual-bicultural programs where such programs are available in order to instill respect for non-English languages and cultures in all pupils.
115.95(2)
(2) It is the policy of this state to provide equal educational opportunities by ensuring that necessary programs are available for limited-English proficient pupils while allowing each school district maximum flexibility in establishing programs suited to its particular needs. To this end, this subchapter establishes bilingual-bicultural education programs for pupils in school districts with specified concentrations of limited-English proficient pupils in the attendance areas of particular schools.
115.95(3)
(3) It is the policy of this state to reimburse school districts, in substantial part, for the added costs of providing the programs established under this subchapter.
115.95(4)
(4) It is the policy of this state that a limited-English proficient pupil participate in a bilingual-bicultural education program only until such time as the pupil is able to perform ordinary classwork in English.
115.95(5)
(5) It is the policy of this state that fundamental courses may be taught in the pupil's non-English language to support the understanding of concepts, while the ultimate objective shall be to provide a proficiency in those courses in the English language in order that the pupil will be able to participate fully in a society whose language is English.
115.95(6)
(6) Furthermore, it is the policy of this state to encourage reform, innovation and improvement in graduate education, in the structure of the academic profession and in the recruitment and retention of higher education and graduate school faculties, as related to bilingual-bicultural education, and to give special recognition to persons who possess a reading ability and speaking fluency in a non-English language and an understanding of another culture.
115.955
115.955
Definitions. In this subchapter:
115.955(2)
(2) “Bilingual-bicultural education program" means a program designed to improve the comprehension and the speaking, reading and writing ability of a limited-English proficient pupil in the English language, so that the pupil will be able to perform ordinary classwork in English.
115.955(3)
(3) “Bilingual counselor" means a certified school counselor approved by the state superintendent under
s. 115.28 (15) (a).
115.955(4)
(4) “Bilingual counselor's aide" means a person who is employed to assist a counselor and who is approved by the state superintendent under
s. 115.28 (15) (a).
115.955(6)
(6) “Bilingual teacher's aide" means a person who is employed to assist a teacher and who is approved by the state superintendent under
s. 115.28 (15) (a).
115.955(7)
(7) “Limited-English proficient pupil" means a pupil whose ability to use the English language is limited because of the use of a non-English language in his or her family or in his or her daily, nonschool surroundings, and who has difficulty, as defined by rule by the state superintendent, in performing ordinary classwork in English as a result of such limited English language proficiency.
115.96
115.96
Establishment of programs. 115.96(1)
(1)
Count of limited-English proficient pupils. Annually, on or before March 1, each school board shall conduct a count of the limited-English proficient pupils in the public schools of the district, assess the language proficiency of such pupils and classify such pupils by language group, grade level, age and English language proficiency.
115.96(2)
(2) Notification. Annually, on or before April 1, a school board which may be required to offer a bilingual-bicultural education program shall send to the parent, legal custodian or guardian of every limited-English proficient pupil identified under
sub. (1) who is eligible for participation in such a program, a notice which states that a bilingual-bicultural education program may be instituted, contains information on the procedures for registering a pupil in such a program, and provides notice of the consent required under
sub. (3). The notice shall be in English and in the non-English language of the limited-English proficient pupil.
115.96(3)
(3) Parental consent. On or before May 1, any parent or legal custodian desiring that their child be placed in a bilingual-bicultural education program shall give written consent to such child's placement.
115.96(4)
(4) Program established. Annually, on or before July 1, the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program, if required under
s. 115.97. A bilingual-bicultural education program established under this subchapter shall provide all of the following:
115.96(4)(a)
(a) Instruction in reading, writing and speaking the English language.
115.96(4)(b)
(b) Through the use of the native language of the limited-English proficient pupil, instruction in the subjects necessary to permit the pupil to progress effectively through the educational system.
115.96(5)(a)(a) By the commencement of the school term, the school board shall place, with the parent's or legal custodian's written consent, each limited-English proficient pupil in the appropriate bilingual-bicultural education program established under this subchapter. If a limited-English proficient pupil is identified after March 1 or the parent or legal custodian of such child gives consent after May 1, the school board shall place the pupil, with the written consent of the pupil's parent or legal custodian, in an appropriate program where feasible.
115.96(5)(b)
(b) A parent or legal custodian may appeal the school board's failure to place the pupil in the bilingual-bicultural education program established for the pupil in the pupil's language group by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the school district within 10 days after the commencement of the school term. The school board shall provide for a hearing on the question of placement within 20 days after receipt of the notice of appeal and shall take a written record of the proceedings. The cost of taking the record shall be the responsibility of the school board. The parent or legal custodian may request a public or private hearing. Within 10 days after the hearing, the school board shall make a decision on the question of placement. If the parent or legal custodian is not satisfied with the decision of the school board, the parent or legal custodian may, within 10 days after the school board's decision, file a notice of appeal with the state superintendent. If the parent or legal custodian appeals, the parent or legal custodian shall assume the cost of transcribing the record. Within 10 days after receipt of the notice of appeal from the determination of the school board, the state superintendent shall issue a decision based on the hearing record. If the parent or legal custodian prevails, the school board shall reimburse the parent or legal custodian for the cost of transcribing the record.
115.96 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also s.
PI 13.03, Wis. adm. code.
115.97
115.97
Bilingual-bicultural education programs required. 115.97(1)(1) A school board may combine pupils in attendance at separate schools in its bilingual-bicultural education program. The school board shall be eligible for state aids under
s. 115.995 if the number of limited-English proficient pupils served from the combined schools meets the requirements under
sub. (2),
(3) or
(4). A pupil shall be eligible for a bilingual-bicultural education program only until he or she is able to perform ordinary classwork in English. The bilingual-bicultural education program shall be designed to provide intensive instruction to meet this objective. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize isolation of children of limited-English proficient ability or ethnic background for a substantial portion of the school day. Pupils who are not limited-English proficient pupils may participate in a bilingual-bicultural education program, except that a school board shall give preference to limited-English proficient pupils in admitting pupils to such a program.
115.97(2)
(2) If, in a language group under
s. 115.96 (1), there are 10 or more limited-English proficient pupils in kindergarten to grade 3 in attendance at a particular elementary school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to such pupils' placement under
s. 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program for such pupils during the school term. Such program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher.
115.97(3)
(3) If, in a language group under
s. 115.96 (1), there are 20 or more limited-English proficient pupils in grades 4 to 8 in attendance at a particular elementary, middle or junior high school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to such pupils' placement under
s. 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program for such pupils during the school term. Such program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher.
115.97(4)
(4) If, in a language group under
s. 115.96 (1), there are 20 or more limited-English proficient pupils in grades 9 to 12 in attendance at a particular high school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to the pupils' placement under
s. 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program. The program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher. Bilingual counselors shall be made available.
115.97(5)(a)(a) Except as provided under
par. (b), if a school board is required to establish a bilingual-bicultural education program under
sub. (2),
(3) or
(4), but bilingual teachers for the language groups are unavailable, the program may be taught by certified teachers of English as a 2nd language upon receipt of approval of the state superintendent. The state superintendent may approve a program under this paragraph only if the school board demonstrates all of the following:
115.97(5)(a)1.
1. Compliance with all other requirements of this subchapter.
115.97(5)(a)2.
2. A good faith, continuing effort to recruit bilingual teachers for the language group.
115.97(5)(a)3.
3. Employment of at least one bilingual teacher's aide in the program.
115.97(5)(b)
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a program for Spanish-speaking pupils.
