SS 105-24

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction STATEMENT OF SCOPE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

LEGISLATIVE POLICY & OUTREACH TEAM ATTN: CARL BRYAN 266-3275 or [e-mail]

GENERAL INFORMATION

Rule No. PI 37

Relating to Revisions to grants for National Teacher Certification and Master Educator Licensure

Rule Type Permanent

SIGNATURE

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

State Superintendent Signature Ø

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 change is intended to update ch. PI 37 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code by clarifying eligibility requirements for applicants seeking grants for national teacher certification and master educator licensure; establishing the length of grant renewal; aligning the rule with statute, application processing practices, and the form and style specified in the rules procedures manual prepared by legislative council staff and the legislative reference bureau under s. 227.15, Wis. Stats.

3.   A description of the existing policies and new policies included in the proposed rule and an analysis of policy alternatives. Chapter PI 37 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code establishes the rules and procedures for awarding grants to applicants seeking to obtain national board certification or master educator licensure. Under the program, educators certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or licensed as Wisconsin Master Educators can apply for a grant equal to the costs of obtaining or renewing their credential, not to exceed $2,000. Additionally, applicants may receive annual grants of $2,500 for up to nine years if they maintain their credential and maintain a rating of effective or highly effective in the educator effectiveness system under s. 115.415, Wis. Stats. Finally, an additional $5,000 grant is available for applicants employed in a school where 60 percent or more students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1). The rule provides that the state superintendent shall review applications and awards grants based on the applicant’s compliance with the applicable criteria specified under s. PI 37.03, Wis. Admin. Code. The current rule needs updating to align with statutory requirements concerning the length of the school year and to address ambiguities for grant applicants, particularly regarding eligibility and licensing requirements for seeking a grant, the length of grant renewal, and limits on renewing grant applications. Further, the definitions in the rule require revisions to reflect current statute and practices regarding what constitutes a teacher and the employing school’s evaluation practices for the purpose of receiving a grant. Finally, the rule needs to be updated to conform with the form and style specified in the rules procedures manual prepared by legislative council staff and the legislative reference bureau. The proposed rule is designed to update ch. PI 37, Wis. Admin. Code, to create greater clarity for applicants seeking a grant under this program and to better align with statutory requirements. Absent a rule change, the department would be required to continue to implement the rule as written, which may result in confusion and conflicts with current statutory requirements.

4.   The statutory authority for the proposed rule. Under s. 115.42 (4), Wis. Stats., the state superintendent shall promulgate rules for implementing and administering grants for national teacher certification and master educator licensure, including rules for the application process, including necessary documentation, and the selection process for grant recipients.

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. The proposed rule may affect individuals seeking a grant for national teacher certification or mater educator licensure under ch. PI 37, Wis. Admin. Code.

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. There are no specific federal regulations governing national teacher certification or master educator licensure, as these requirements are administered by state and independent bodies. Grant funding under this program is administered by Wisconsin statute and administrative code.