Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
STATEMENT OF SCOPE
FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Rule No: PI 34
Relating to: Alternative completion standards for educator preparation programs
Rule Type: Permanent
NARRATIVE
1. Finding/nature of the emergency (Emergency Rule only).
N/A
2. A description of the objective of the proposed rule.
The Department proposes to amend its rules with respect to completion standards by entities that use alternative measures of performance as a condition for receiving educator licensure.
3. A description of the existing policies and new policies included in the proposed rule and an analysis of policy alternatives.
Chapter PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code contains the current rules governing the licensure of school personnel, including rules around completion standards for each educator preparation program as a condition for receiving educator licensure. Section PI 34.018 (4) (a) provides that for preparation programs that do not require a master’s degree, the entity shall require either a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or evidence other than grade point average by entities that use alternative measures of performance which shall be approved by the state superintendent. Further, s. PI 34.018 (4) (b) provides that for preparation programs at the post-baccalaureate level, the entity shall require either a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or evidence other than grade point average by entities that use alternative measures of performance which shall be approved by the state superintendent. Under the current rule, no more than 10 percent of the cohort of students completing the educator preparation program may be measured using alternative measures of performance at either level. Since the rules were promulgated, the Department proposes to amend these rules to create flexibility for license applicants and for entities which use alternative measures of performance as a condition for receiving licensure. The proposed rule will address the prohibition that no more than 10 percent of the cohort of students completing an educator preparation program may be measured using alternative measures of performance. Additionally, the proposed rule will ensure that entities using an alternative measure of performance are able to endorse each candidate for licensure while maintaining high standards in the use of each alternative measure. Without a rule change, the Department would be required to implement PI 34 as the rules currently exist, thus limiting the flexibility in which entities may endorse qualified candidates for licensure. Alternative measures would continue to be approved by the state superintendent in absence of a rule change.
4. The statutory authority for the proposed rule.
115.28 General duties. The state superintendent shall:
(7) Licensing of teachers.
(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), 118.191, 118.192, 118.193, 118.194, 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. 5. An estimate of the amount of time agency employees will spend developing the proposed rule and of other resources needed to develop the rule.
The amount of time needed for rule development by Department staff and the amount of other resources necessary are indeterminate.
6. A description of all of the entities that will be affected by the proposed rule.
This rule change would impact educator preparation programs and individuals seeking an educator license under s. 115.28 (7) (a), Stats. 7. A summary and preliminary comparison of any existing or proposed federal regulation that addresses or is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule.
N/A
8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses).
The proposed rules will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. Contact information
Carl Bryan
Legislative Policy & Outreach Team
(608) 266-3275
