Chapter 118

118.40(8)(f) (f) Required notices. At the beginning of each school term, the governing body of a virtual charter school shall inform the parent or guardian of each pupil attending the virtual charter school, in writing, the name of, and how to contact, each of the following persons:

118.40(8)(f)1. 1. The members of the school board that contracted for the establishment of the virtual charter school and the administrators of that school district.

118.40(8)(f)2. 2. The members of the virtual charter school’s governing body, if different than the persons under subd. 1.

118.40(8)(f)3. 3. The members of the virtual charter school’s parent advisory council established under par. (e).

118.40(8)(f)4. 4. The staff of the virtual charter school.

118.40(8)(g) (g) Pupil’s failure to participate.

118.40(8)(g)1. 1. Whenever a pupil attending a virtual charter school fails to respond appropriately to a school assignment or directive from instructional staff within 5 school days, the governing body of the virtual charter school shall notify the pupil’s parent or guardian.

118.40(8)(g)2. 2. Subject to subd. 2m., the third time in the same semester that a pupil attending a virtual charter school fails to respond appropriately to a school assignment or directive from instructional staff within 5 school days, the governing body of the virtual charter school shall also notify the school board that contracted for the establishment of the virtual charter school, the school board of the pupil’s resident school district, and the department. The school board that contracted for the establishment of the virtual charter school may transfer the pupil to his or her resident school district. If the pupil is a resident of the school district that contracted for the establishment of the virtual charter school, the school board may assign the pupil to another school or program within that school district. If the school board transfers or assigns a pupil, it shall notify the pupil’s parent or guardian and the department.

118.40(8)(g)2m. 2m. If the parent or guardian of a pupil attending a virtual charter school notifies the virtual charter school in writing before a school assignment or directive is given that the pupil will not be available to respond to the assignment or directive during a specified period, the school days during that period do not count for purposes of subd. 2. The virtual charter school shall require the pupil to complete any assignment missed during the period. This subdivision applies to no more than 10 school days in a school year.

118.40(8)(g)3. 3. The parent or guardian of a pupil transferred to the pupil’s resident school district under subd. 2. may appeal the transfer to the department within 30 days after receipt of the notice of transfer. The department shall affirm the school board’s decision unless the department finds that the decision was arbitrary or unreasonable.

118.40 History History: 1993 a. 16, 490; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3983m to 3992m, 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27, 238, 252; 1999 a. 9; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 16, 105; 2003 a. 33, 156; 2005 a. 25, 111, 346; 2007 a. 222; 2009 a. 28, 61, 276; 2011 a. 10, 32, 105; 2013 a. 20; 2013 a. 173 s. 33; 2013 a. 257; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 30, 59, 364; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2017 a. 366; 2019 a. 9, 83; 2021 a. 30, 219; 2021 a. 238 s. 45; 2021 a. 239 s. 74; 2021 a. 240 s. 30; 2023 a. 11.

118.40 Annotation Sub. (4) (d) 8. grants a charter school governing board authority to sue its authorizing school district in order to enforce the terms of the parties’ contract. Nothing in the contract at issue in this case limited the governing board’s ability to sue the district. Friends of Maple Grove, Inc. v. Merrill Area Common Public School District, 2021 WI App 26, 397 Wis. 2d 139, 959 N.W.2d 362, 20-1179.

118.40 Annotation A public school district did not violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution by refusing to bus the students of a charter school created under sub. (2r) located within its geographical boundaries. Racine Charter One, Inc. v. Racine Unified School District, 424 F.3d 677 (2005).

118.42 118.42 Low-performing school districts and schools; state superintendent interventions.

118.42(1) (1) If the state superintendent determines that a school district has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, the school board shall do all of the following:

118.42(1)(a) (a) Employ a standard, consistent, research-based curriculum that is aligned with the state’s model academic standards, as determined by the state superintendent, and across grades in all schools.

118.42(1)(b) (b) Use pupil academic performance data, including data indicating improvement in pupil academic achievement and English language acquisition, to differentiate instruction to meet individual pupil needs. To the extent practicable, the school board shall assess pupils in the language and form most likely to yield accurate data.

118.42(1)(c) (c) Implement for all pupils a system of academic and behavioral supports and early interventions, including diagnostic assessments, instruction in core academic subjects, different instructional strategies for different pupils, and strategies to improve reading and mathematics instruction and promote positive behavior.

118.42(1)(d) (d) Provide additional learning time to address the academic needs of pupils who are struggling academically, including pupils whose proficiency in English is limited. The additional learning time may include an extended school day, an extended school year, summer school, or intersession courses.

118.42(2) (2) If the state superintendent determines that a public school was in the lowest performing 5 percent of all public schools in the state in the previous school year and is located in a school district that has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, the school board shall do all of the following in the school:

118.42(2)(a) (a) Use rigorous and equitable performance evaluation systems for teachers and principals that include all of the following:

118.42(2)(a)1. 1. Annual performance evaluations; multiple rating categories; multiple rating criteria, including improvement in pupil academic achievement as a significant factor; observation-based performance assessments; and an up-to-date collection of professional practice materials. The school board shall ensure that improvement in pupil academic achievement is based on at least 2 measures.

118.42(2)(a)2. 2. A method of identifying mitigating factors, such as a high rate of pupil mobility, large class size, insufficient preparation time, insufficient paraprofessional support, insufficient professional development, and insufficient resources or support, that could affect a teacher’s or principal’s performance.

118.42(2)(b) (b) Adopt a policy establishing criteria for evaluating whether the distribution of teachers and principals within the affected schools relative to the distribution of teachers and principals throughout the school district, based upon their qualifications and effectiveness, is equitable. Using the criteria, the school board shall determine whether the distribution of principals and teachers is equitable. If the school board determines that the distribution is inequitable, the school board shall do all of the following:

118.42(2)(b)1. 1. Perform a comprehensive review of current policies and constraints that prevent low-performing schools from recruiting, placing, and retaining effective teachers and principals, and implement strategies to eliminate those policies and constraints.

118.42(2)(b)2. 2. Provide additional support to teachers and principals, which may include professional development that is incorporated into their work and tuition reimbursement for courses related to their professional duties.

118.42(2)(c) (c) Establish teacher and principal improvement programs that include all of the following:

118.42(2)(c)1. 1. Supplemental mentoring for those with emergency licenses or permits.

118.42(2)(c)2. 2. Opportunities to pursue other professional certifications, including certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

118.42(2)(c)3. 3. Annually, at least 60 hours of professional development that is incorporated into their work. The school board shall consult with teachers and principals on the content of the professional development.

118.42(2)(c)4. 4. A joint labor-management program designed to objectively identify teachers and principals who demonstrate serious performance deficiencies and provide them with opportunities for improvement, including weekly observation, mentoring, ongoing conferences, modeling, and professional development. The school board shall offer career counseling and other career transition benefits to those teachers and principals who continue to demonstrate performance deficiencies.

118.42(2)(d) (d) Adopt placement criteria for principals that include performance evaluations and measures of pupil academic achievement.

118.42(3) (3) 

118.42(3)(a) (a) If the state superintendent determines that a school district has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, the state superintendent may, after consulting with the school board, the school district superintendent, and representatives of each labor organization representing school district employees, direct the school board to do one or more of the following in the school district:

118.42(3)(a)1. 1. Implement or modify activities described in sub. (1) (a) to (d).

118.42(3)(a)2. 2. Implement a new or modified instructional design, which may include expanded school hours or additional pupil supports and services.

118.42(3)(a)3. 3. Implement professional development programs that focus on improving pupil academic achievement.

118.42(3)(a)4. 4. Implement changes in administrative and personnel structures.

118.42(3)(a)5. 5. Adopt accountability measures to monitor the school district’s finances or to monitor other interventions directed by the state superintendent under subds. 1. to 4.

118.42(3)(b) (b) If the state superintendent determines that a public school is located in a school district that has been in need of improvement for 4 consecutive school years, and that the school has been in need of improvement for 5 consecutive school years or was among the lowest performing 5 percent of all public schools in the state in the previous school year, the state superintendent may, after consulting with the school board, the school district superintendent, and representatives of each labor organization representing school district employees, direct the school board to do one or more of the following in the school:

118.42(3)(b)1. 1. Implement a new or modified instructional design, which may include expanded school hours or additional pupil supports and services.

118.42(3)(b)2. 2. Create a school improvement council consisting of the state superintendent or his or her designee, the school district or school board president or his or her designee, the school district administrator or his or her designee, the school principal or his or her designee, and representatives of each labor organization representing school district employees, to make recommendations to the state superintendent regarding improving the school.

118.42(3)(c) (c)

118.42(3)(c)1. 1. If the state superintendent issues a directive under par. (a) or (b), he or she shall do all of the following:

118.42(3)(c)1.a. a. Notify the legislature’s education committees under s. 13.172 (3) and each legislator whose legislative district includes any portion of the school district.

118.42(3)(c)1.b. b. Provide a system of support and improvement, including technical assistance, to the school board.

118.42(3)(c)2. 2. If a school board receives a directive from the state superintendent under par. (a) or (b), the school board shall seek input from school district staff, parents, and community leaders on implementing the directive.

118.42(4) (4) The state superintendent shall promulgate rules establishing criteria and procedures for determining whether a school or school district is in need of improvement and whether a school is among the lowest performing 5 percent of all public schools in the state, for the purposes of this section.

118.42(5) (5) Nothing in this section alters or otherwise affects the rights or remedies afforded school districts and school district employees under federal or state law.

118.42 History History: 2009 a. 215; 2011 a. 10.

118.42 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. PI 43, Wis. adm. code.

118.43 118.43 Achievement guarantee contracts; state aid.

118.43(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

118.43(1)(a) (a) “Class size” means the number of pupils assigned to a regular classroom teacher on the 3rd Friday of September.

118.43(1)(b) (b) “Low income” means pupils who satisfy the income eligibility criteria under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1).

118.43(2) (2) Eligibility; application.

118.43(2)(a) (a) The school board of any school district in which a school in the previous school year had an enrollment that was at least 50 percent low-income is eligible to participate in the program under this section, except that a school board is eligible to participate in the program under this section in the 2000-01 school year if in the 1998-99 school year a school in the school district had an enrollment that was at least 0 percent low-income.

118.43(2)(b) (b) In the 1996-97 school year, the school board of an eligible school district may enter into a 5-year achievement guarantee contract with the department on behalf of one school in the school district if all of the following apply:

118.43(2)(b)1. 1. In the previous school year, the school had an enrollment that was at least 30 percent low-income.

118.43(2)(b)2. 2. The school board is not receiving a grant under the preschool to grade 5 program on behalf of the school under s. 115.45, 2009 stats.

118.43(2)(bg) (bg) In the 1998-99 school year, the school board of an eligible school district may enter into a 5-year achievement guarantee contract with the department on behalf of one school in the school district if all of the following apply:

118.43(2)(bg)1. 1. In the previous school year, the school had an enrollment that was at least 30 percent low-income.

118.43(2)(bg)2. 2. The school board is not receiving a grant under the preschool to grade 5 program on behalf of the school under s. 115.45, 2009 stats.

118.43(2)(br) (br) In the 2000-01 school year, the school board of an eligible school district may enter into a 5-year achievement guarantee contract with the department on behalf of one or more schools in the school district if all of the following apply:

118.43(2)(br)2. 2. The school board is not receiving a grant under the preschool to grade 5 program on behalf of any of the schools under s. 115.45, 2009 stats.

118.43(2)(br)3. 3. The school board, if eligible to participate in the program under this section in the 1996-97 and 1998-99 school years, had participated in the program during either school year.

118.43(2)(br)4. 4. None of the schools is a beneficiary of a contract under this section.

118.43(2)(bt) (bt) In the 2010-11 school year, the school board of an eligible school district may enter into a 5-year achievement guarantee contract with the department on behalf of one or more schools in the school district if all of the following apply:

118.43(2)(bt)1. 1. In the previous school year, each school had an enrollment that was at least 30 percent low income.

118.43(2)(bt)2. 2. The school board is not receiving a grant under the preschool to grade 5 program on behalf of any of the schools under s. 115.45, 2009 stats.

118.43(2)(bt)3. 3. None of the schools is a beneficiary of a contract under this section.

118.43(2)(bv) (bv) In the 2011-12 school year, the school board of an eligible school district may enter into a 5-year achievement guarantee contract with the department on behalf of one or more schools in the school district if, in the 2010-11 school year, the school board received a grant under the preschool to grade 5 program on behalf of the schools under s. 115.45, 2009 stats.

118.43(2)(c) (c) Notwithstanding pars. (b) and (bg), the school board of the school district operating under ch. 119 may enter into an achievement guarantee contract on behalf of up to 10 schools under par. (b) and up to 10 schools under par. (bg).

118.43(2)(d) (d) If an eligible school district has more than one school that qualifies under par. (b), the school board shall apply on behalf of the school with the largest number of low-income pupils in grades kindergarten and one.

118.43(2)(e) (e)

118.43(2)(e)1. 1. If the school board of an eligible school district does not enter into an achievement guarantee contract with the department, a school board that has entered into such a contract, other than the school board of the school district operating under ch. 119, may apply to the department to enter into such a contract on behalf of one or more schools that meet the requirements under par. (b), (bg) or (br).

118.43(2)(e)2. 2. If more than one school board applies under subd. 1., the department shall determine which school board to contract with based on the number of low-income pupils in grades kindergarten and one enrolled in the schools and on the balance of rural and urban school districts currently participating in the program.

118.43(2)(f) (f) The department and a school board may agree to extend an achievement guarantee contract entered into or renewed in the 2010-11 school year for one year under existing contract terms.

118.43(2)(g) (g) The department may renew an achievement guarantee contract under pars. (b), (bg), (br), (bt), and (bv) for one or more terms of 5 school years. Except as provided in sub. (3m), as a condition of receiving payments under a renewal of an achievement guarantee contract, a school board shall maintain the reduction of class size achieved during the last school year of the original achievement guarantee contract for the grades specified for the last school year of the contract.

118.43(3) (3) Contract requirements. Except as provided in pars. (am), (ar), (at), and (av) and sub. (3r), an achievement guarantee contract shall require the school board to do all of the following in each participating school:

118.43(3)(a) (a) Class size. Reduce each class size to 15 in the following manner:

118.43(3)(a)1. 1. In the 1996-97 school year, in at least grades kindergarten and one.

118.43(3)(a)2. 2. In the 1997-98 school year, in at least grades kindergarten to 2.

118.43(3)(a)3. 3. In the 1998-99 to 2000-01 school years, in at least grades kindergarten to 3.

118.43(3)(am) (am) Class size; additional contracts. For contracts that begin in the 1998-99 school year, reduce each class size to 15 in the following manner:

118.43(3)(am)1. 1. In the 1998-99 school year, in at least grades kindergarten and one.

118.43(3)(am)2. 2. In the 1999-2000 school year, in at least grades kindergarten to 2.

118.43(3)(am)3. 3. In the 2000-01 to 2002-03 school years, in at least grades kindergarten to 3.

118.43(3)(ar) (ar) Class size; additional contracts. For contracts that begin in the 2000-01 school year, reduce each class size to 15 in the following manner: