SS 116-23 Scope Statement

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 Clarifying renewal language for educational interpreters and orientation and mobility specialists

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 seeks to create clarity around renewal of educational interpreters under s. PI 34.086 and orientation and mobility specialists under s. PI 34.089, Wis. Admin. Code. The proposed rule will provide that extensions sought under these licenses are for one year and are nonrenewable.

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 educator licensure, including the rules for obtaining a 5-year, renewable educational interpreter license under s. PI 34.086 and a 5-year, renewable license under s. PI 34.089. Under the rule, an educational interpreter may be renewed if the licensee: 1) completes 5 semester credits of continuing professional education from an accredited college or university, or completes 7.5 continuing education units approved by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or Board for Evaluation of Interpreters; and 2) passes the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment with a renewal score set by the state superintendent in consultation with the superintendent's advisory council on deaf and hard of hearing programs, or obtains or maintains one of the licenses or certification listed under s. PI 34.086 (3) (a). Additionally, an individual holding a license in orientation and mobility may be renewed if the licensee completes one of the following: 1) certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals; 2) Certification from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board; or 3) completion of 6 semester credits from an accredited institution of higher education. The current rules governing these licenses currently do not contain any language regarding the length of which an extension under these licenses may be obtained. The proposed rule seeks to create clarity around the renewal language for educational interpreters and orientation and mobility specialists and will clarify that extensions sought under these licenses are for one year and are nonrenewable. Without a rule change, the department will be required to implement ch. PI 34 as the rules currently exist, and licensees may face confusion as a result.

4.   The statutory authority for the proposed rule. Under. 118.19 (1), Wis. 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. Under Wis. Stat. s. 115.28 (7) (a) the superintendent of public instruction shall 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.

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 my impact educators who hold either license as well as 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.