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 History History: 1983 a. 374; 1985 a. 56; 1987 a. 158; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27, 104, 240, 252; 1999 a. 19.

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).

115.93 History History: 1983 a. 374; 1985 a. 29 ss. 1707s, 3202 (43); 1985 a. 56; 1987 a. 27, 338; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9.

subch. VII of ch. 115 SUBCHAPTER VII

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) (1) The legislature finds that:

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.

115.95 History History: 1975 c. 395; 1987 a. 159; 1999 a. 19.

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(5) (5) “Bilingual teacher” means a certified teacher 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.

115.955 History History: 1975 c. 395; 1977 c. 203 s. 106; 1983 a. 189; 1987 a. 159; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1995 a. 27; 1999 a. 19.

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.