KRP:cjs
2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE
April 29, 2019 - Introduced by Representatives Tranel, Rohrkaste, Kuglitsch,
Novak, Kurtz, Tittl, Edming, Wittke, Felzkowski, Dittrich, Mursau and
Knodl, cosponsored by Senators Marklein, Kooyenga, Testin, Tiffany and
Darling. Referred to Committee on Education.
AB194,1,2
1An Act to amend 118.19 (14) (a); and
to create 118.19 (14) (b) of the statutes;
2relating to: requirements for initial licensure as a special education teacher.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill allows the Department of Public Instruction to issue an initial license
as a special education teacher to an individual who successfully completes a course
in the teaching of reading and reading comprehension, provided the individual
satisfies all other requirements for licensure by DPI. Specifically, the course must
satisfy all of the following:
1. The course provides rigorous instruction in the teaching of phonemic
awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency.
2. A student in the course receives feedback and coaching from an individual
who holds either a masters degree in reading or a reading specialist license issued
by DPI.
3. A student in the course demonstrates competence in phonemic awareness,
phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency by providing a portfolio of
work.
Current law requires, as a condition for receiving an initial license to teach in
special education, that an individual passes an examination identical to the
Foundations of Reading test.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB194,1
1Section
1. 118.19 (14) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB194,2,92
118.19
(14) (a)
The Except as provided in par. (b), the department may not issue
3an initial teaching license that authorizes the holder to teach in grades kindergarten
4to 5 or in special education, an initial license as a reading teacher, or an initial license
5as a reading specialist, unless the applicant has passed an examination identical to
6the Foundations of Reading test administered in 2012 as part of the Massachusetts
7Tests for Educator Licensure. The department shall set the passing cut score on the
8examination at a level no lower than the level recommended by the developer of the
9test, based on this state's standards.
AB194,2
10Section
2. 118.19 (14) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB194,2,1511
118.19
(14) (b) The department shall waive the requirement under subd. 1. for
12an applicant seeking an initial teaching license that authorizes the holder to teach
13in special education if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
14department that the applicant has successfully completed a course that satisfies all
15of the following:
AB194,2,1716
1. The course provides rigorous instruction in the teaching of phonemic
17awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency.
AB194,2,2018
2. A student in the course receives feedback and coaching from an individual
19who holds either a masters degree in reading or a reading specialist license issued
20by the department.
AB194,2,2321
3. A student in the course demonstrates competence in phonemic awareness,
22phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency by providing a portfolio of
23work.