Overview
The Legislature’s flurry of activity beginning in January and culminating in the state budget (Act 55) that was signed into law July 13, also included several other stand-alone bills impacting private schools. All along the way, the Wisconsin Council of Religious & Independent Schools (WCRIS) staff was there to advocate for our principals, teachers, students and families.
When introduced in February, the proposed 1,836 page 2015-17 budget bill expanded the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) in a way that reduced the voucher amount far below what schools had been receiving. After months of lobbying and advocacy in coalition with school choice supporters, WCRIS was successful in gaining modifications that preserved the voucher amount ($7,222 for grades K-8; $7,868 for 9-12 in 2015-16) while also expanding access to the program statewide.
WCRIS also weighed-in on a bill to further regulate the hot lunch program, and took calls from legislators and other advocacy organizations about WCRIS’s position on school testing, student vaccines, private school student access to extracurricular programs in public schools, proposed WIAA policies on private school play in tournaments, special education scholarships for private school children, and citizenship tests as a requirement for high school graduation.
As is typical with Legislative sessions, issues that loomed large deflated quickly and resulted in a whole lot of nothing, while other provisions emerged literally in the dark of night with no warning and were passed into law.
A Summary of What Happened & What Didn’t Happen
Wisconsin Parental Choice Program Expansion
The state-wide cap of 1,000 students was removed to provide for expansion over a 10 year period. In 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years, up to 1% of students residing in a school district can participate in the WPCP. Beginning in 2017-18, the percentage increases each year by 1% until there is no cap in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will manage a random selection process to determine which students will receive vouchers. Currently, information from the DPI is focused on the upcoming school year. Later in Fall, they will have information about how schools apply to participate in the expanded WPCP program for 2016-17.
Changes in Statewide Student Assessments
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is no longer the statewide assessment. The DPI must approve a test in the 2015-16 school year. Schools with fewer than 20 choice students will not be required to administer state tests. The DPI is required to request a waiver from the US Department of Education to allow the state to approve three to five alternative assessments, with each school being able to pick its assessment. The UW Value Added Research Center must research and approve the assessments. Schools can choose an alternative assessment but must pay the difference if it costs more than the state exam.
Creation of a Special Needs Scholarship Program for the 2016-17 School Year
This new $12,000 scholarship is separate from the WPCP and has a separate application process and substantial list of private school duties. Among other things, private schools that want to participate in this program must be accredited. The school must notify the DPI of their intent and the number of spaces it has available. There is no family income requirement. The scholarship is for students with an IEP who have been attending a public school and have been rejected by another public school district through the open enrollment (public school choice) program. Once granted, the scholarship is good until the child graduates from high school or turns 21. If the child is determined to no longer have a disability, the child can continue at the school with a scholarship equal to the voucher amount available under the WPCP. Students in this program are eligible for busing services.
New Report Card Criteria for Choice Schools
Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, choice schools will be graded on the same criteria as public and charter schools. There will be a 1-5 star rating system for achievement and improvement. The system will include provisions for weighing the length of time a student has attended a school, and the impact of poverty on student performance. Choice schools have the option of reporting the performance of all students in addition to choice students.
US Citizenship Test Required For Graduation From Choice Schools
Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, private choice schools cannot grant a high school diploma unless a student successfully completes a civics assessment. Currently, non-voucher high schools are not covered by this requirement.
Participation in Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
School boards are required to permit home schooled students to participate in these activities. Private school students, choice school students, and virtual school students are not included in this mandate.
Raffles, School Lunchrooms and Truant Students
Raffles: Act 6 removed limits on the price of Class A raffle tickets (limit was $500), the price of Class B tickets (was $10) and the price of raffle calendars (was $10). The Act increases the number of raffles that a licensed organization may conduct to 365 from the former 200. The Act also makes changes to the record keeping and annual reporting requirements by organizations holding raffles. In general, less paperwork is required.
School Lunchrooms: Act 46 requires operators or managers of school lunchrooms in all schools to hold certificates of food protection practices if the school participates in the national school lunch program and provides food directly.
Notifying Parents of Habitually Truant Students: Act 52 changes the methods by which schools have to notify parents or guardians that a child is truant. Instead of requiring registered and certified mail notices, schools are allowed to use 1st class mail and simultaneous notification by electronic communication.
