Priority Legislative Alert: Proposed Rule Changes to Educator Licensure (PI 34)
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 19, 2018
This is a Priority Legislative Alert on the Proposed Rule Changes to Educator Licensure (PI 34).
The Proposed Rule Changes to Educator Licensing (PI 34) are currently posted for public comments prior to submission to the legislature for consideration. WASDA, AWSA, WASBO, WASPA and WCASS were actively involved in the development of these changes. They are intended to address the issues related to the declining pool of teachers in Wisconsin, along with issues associated with licensing requirements that impact the current workforce of teachers and impede districts ability to develop and utilize staff most effectively to meet their instructional needs for students.
A very high-level summary is available here.
Some specific points that should be noted about the rule changes include:
- Consolidates subject areas. The new rule will provide districts more flexibility in staffing their schools by preparing educators to teach entire subject areas rather than just specialized subjects (e.g., science, social studies, music – Subchapter VI).
- Adds flexibility. The new rule allows current license holders to add additional license areas through a district pathway that gives districts the authority to provide an experience that leads to additional licensure.
- Fewer licenses, more flexibility. Five developmental levels of licensing have been shrunk to four grade spans and license subject areas have been broadened.
- Dual licensure. Speech and language therapists and audiologists licensed by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) can receive a license from DPI by virtue of their DSPS license.
- Tiered licensing. This will allow school districts to differentiate teachers based on completion of minimum requirements.
- Teacher residencies and internships. Teachers in one of these experiences are eligible for a license.
- Alternatives to Testing Requirements. Options are given to preparation programs in lieu of exams and flexibility is created for those who are working to pass the Foundations of Reading test.
While not the end-all for addressing the challenges of teacher preparation, recruitment, development and retention, these rule changes are definitely a valuable step in easing the issues we currently experience.
We are asking all SAA members to take the time to access the DPI posted website that allows you to register in support of the changes and offer comments. You can simply draw any comments you wish to make from the points offered above (cut and paste) or feel free to add your own. The important action is that you register in support of the rule changes. Literally, the number of people who register for or against the proposal is what matters, not their specific comments. Currently, those opposed outnumber those in support. The deadline for registering on the rule changes is January 31. If you want a more flexible licensing system that maintains strong professional standards, then please register in support of the rule today.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this.
You can access the DPI form here.
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
SAA Testifies Against Teacher Protection Act
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 12, 2018
The SAA testified in opposition to Assembly Bill 693, the so-called Teacher Protection Act, at a lengthy and contentious public hearing held yesterday before the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. The SAA feels so strongly about this legislation that we have taken two extraordinary steps. First, we retained Attorney Mike Julka of the Boardman & Clark Law Firm to prepare a thorough legal analysis of AB 693. Second, Attorney Julka appeared at the hearing with SAA Executive Director John Forester to share with the Committee the major concerns we have with AB 693 as identified in that legal analysis. The SAA’s testimony was impactful to say the least. I urge all interested SAA members to review the legal analysis. It clearly illustrates that AB 693 has massive legal and policy problems.
Several SAA members also delivered testimony in opposition to the bill. WCASS members Barb Buffington and Jerry Nicholson did a fabulous job testifying as a team before the Committee. Paul Brost, Monona Grove High School principal, also attended the hearing and submitted testimony.
Opponents of the bill were clearly more numerous and better organized than proponents at the hearing. The coalition of bill opponents included school administrators, school board members, teachers, legal and civil rights advocates, and a very strong and vocal contingent of disability rights advocates. No action was taken on the bill by the Committee yesterday. It’s fate in the Assembly remains uncertain. And remember, the bill currently has no Senate sponsor.
Stay tuned.
See Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Coverage here.
See Wisconsin Public Radio Coverage here.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Priority Legislative Alert on Teacher Protection Act
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 10, 2018
The SAA is issuing a Priority Legislative Alert on Assembly Bill 693, the so-called Teacher Protection Act.
As we reported earlier, Assembly Bill 693 has been scheduled for public hearing before the Assembly Committee on Judiciary on Thursday, January 11th at 9:00 am in Room 417 North, State Capitol. The bill has 16 Assembly Republican co-sponsors and no Senate sponsors. The SAA strongly opposes the bill.
See Public Hearing Notice here.
We urge SAA members to take action now! Please contact your legislators and ask them to oppose AB 693.
In your communication please consider using the talking points listed below as well as any of your own concerns about the bill based on your experiences and expertise.
Talking Points:
- While we greatly appreciate the school mental health initiatives in the 2017-19 state budget, everyone involved recognizes that Wisconsin must do more to meet the needs of the growing number of students with significant mental health challenges. These challenges may contribute to volatile student behaviors that requires appropriate intervention and support.
- The bill expands mandatory reporting to law enforcement to include physical assaults which, in some cases, would remove a school district’s discretion to act in the best interest of the child.
- The bill expands the circle of access to certain juvenile records and risks infringement of the privacy rights of students.
- The bill empowers teachers to take actions against students (suspension, class removal) that may not conform to school board policies nor the normal chain of command in a school setting.
- Delegating the right and duty to suspend students to individual teachers will result in inconsistent expectations and consequences for students.
- Evidence suggests that legislation like this will likely affect students of color disproportionately and raises numerous legal and policy issues regarding the impact on students with disabilities.
- Teachers and school board members are not trained to administer this level of discipline, communicate it to parents, or collaborate with community resources around these issues.
- Contrary to our philosophy and the Wisconsin tradition, this bill emphasizes the rights of certain adults working in schools above the best interests of students.
For your convenience in contacting your legislators, we have provided links to the Assembly Directory, the Senate Directory and Who Are My Legislators.
If you should have any questions please email me at. Thanks for listening and, as always, thank you for everything you do on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Sparsity Aid, Low Revenue Ceiling Draft Circulated for Co-Sponsorship
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 8, 2018
On the heels of the Governor’s announcement earlier today, draft legislation relating to an increase in Sparsity Aid and the Low Revenue Ceiling has been circulated for co-sponsorship in the State Capitol.
See the bill draft and co-sponsorship memo below.
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Walker Champions Sparsity Aid and Low Revenue Ceiling Increase
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 8, 2018
Governor Scott Walker will visit Coleman High School in Coleman today to announce his support for legislation authored by Representative John Nygren (R—Marinette) that increases Sparsity Aid by $6.4 million for the 2018-19 school year. The bill provides an increase from $300 per pupil to $400 per pupil for districts that currently qualify for Sparsity Aid. Additionally, the bill includes an increase to the Low Revenue Ceiling from $9,100 to $9,400 for the 2018-19 school year, with the Low Revenue Ceiling rising by $100 per year thereafter up to $9,800 by the 2022-23 school year. In order to ensure accountability to local voters, districts where a referendum to raise the revenue limit was rejected by the voters within the past three years would not be allowed to raise their revenue limit.
See Governor Walker news release here.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »