SB589: Bill Text

LRB-4524/1

KRP:wlj

2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE

2021 Senate BILL 589

September 29, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Darling, Bernier, Ballweg and Bradley, cosponsored by Representatives Mursau, Ramthun, Knodl, Krug and Dittrich. Referred to Committee on Education.

SB589,1,2 An Act to amend 118.19 (14) (a) and 118.194 (1) (d) of the statutes; relating to: the Foundations of Reading test licensure requirement.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, applicants for an initial license to teach grades kindergarten to five, an initial license to teach special education, an initial license as a reading teacher, an initial license as a reading specialist, or an initial license to teach at a school that uses the Montessori method generally must pass an examination identical to the Foundations of Reading test (FORT) administered in 2012. This bill changes the requirement to allow an applicant to instead pass an examination identical to the most recent edition of the FORT.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB589,1 Section 1. 118.19 (14) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB589,2,5 118.19 (14) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the department may not issue an initial teaching license that authorizes the holder to teach in grades kindergarten to 5 or in special education, an initial license as a reading teacher, or an initial license as a reading specialist, unless the applicant has passed an examination identical to the Foundations of Reading test administered in 2012 as part of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure or identical to the most recent edition of that test. The department shall set the passing cut score on the examination at a level no lower than the level recommended by the developer of the test, based on this state's standards.

SB589,2 Section 2. 118.194 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB589,2,12 118.194 (1) (d) Earned a passing score on any standardized examinations required by the state superintendent for a license to teach the same educational levels and subjects issued in accordance with s. 118.19 and on an examination identical to the Foundations of Reading test administered in 2012 as part of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure or identical to the most recent edition of that test.

SB589,2,13 (End)