SS 112-23

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction STATEMENT OF SCOPE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

LEGISLATIVE POLICY & OUTREACH TEAM ATTN: ERIN FATH 266-2804 or [e-mail]

GENERAL INFORMATION

Rule No. PI 34

Relating to Reading requirements for the educator preparation program approval process

Rule Type Permanent

SIGNATURE

State Superintendent Review ☐ Approved. Begin Drafting Rule ☐ Disapproved. Reason for Disapproval

State Superintendent Signature ➢

Date Signed Mo./Day/Yr.

NARRATIVE

1.   Finding/nature of the emergency (Emergency Rule only). N/A

2.   A description of the objective of the proposed rule. The proposed rule amends ch. PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code with respect program approval and licensing requirements due to the passage of 2023 Wisconsin Act 20. The proposal would require preparation programs to address the acquisition of knowledge regarding evidence-based early reading instruction to be an approved preparation program and update the requirements for issuance of a license to align with statutory language.

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 the standards for educator preparation program approval. Section PI 34.021 provides that an educator preparation program shall assess the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of students in a number of areas, including reading for special education teachers. Additionally, under s. PI 34.045, the state superintendent may issue an elementary and middle school license if the applicant completed an approved program in elementary and middle school education with at least one course in the curriculum content of the Wisconsin standards in language arts. The proposed rule amends ch. PI 34 with respect to the program approval process according to the requirements under s. 118.015 (1c) (a), (b), and (c) Wis. Stats. Additionally, the proposed rule will also specify that the language arts course requirement for elementary and middle license applicants under s. PI 34.045 shall include an understanding of phonics and science-based early reading instruction as defined in s. 118.015 (1c) (a) and (b), Wis. Stats. The rule will prohibit three-cueing as a method to prepare teachers as defined in s. 118.015 (1c) (c), Wis. Stats., as of July 1, 2026. The rule will also align the requirement for licensure in PI 34. 022 to include the provisions under Wis. Stats. 118.19 (12) and nonstatutory language in 2023 Wisconsin Act 20 to include the requirement to be trained in science-based early reading instruction beginning with licenses issued on July 1, 2025. Without a rule change, the department would be required to implement ch. PI 34 as the rules currently exist.

4.   The statutory authority for the proposed rule. Under. 118.19 (1), Stats., any person seeking to teach in a public school, including a charter school, or in a school or institution operated by a county or the state shall first procure a license or permit from the department. One element of teacher licensure through PI 34 is completion of a teacher preparation program which has been approved under PI 34.007. Wis. Stat. s. 115.28 (7) (a) requires, in relevant part, that the superintendent of public instruction shall prescribe by rule standards, requirements and procedures for the approval of teacher preparatory programs leading to licensure.

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 will affect educators, educator preparation programs, groups representing education stakeholders, and school districts.

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 rule will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats.