PROPOSED ORDER OF THE
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
AMENDING RULES
The scope statement for this rule, SS 108-23, was published in Register No. 816A1, on December 4, 2023, and approved by State Superintendent Jill K. Underly on December 21, 2023. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction hereby proposes an order to create ss. PI 34.001 (18m) and 34.023 (3) (am), relating to school settings for practicum experiences. ANALYSIS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Explanation of agency authority:
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 s. 115.28 (7) (a), Wis. Stats., 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, Wis. Stats. Related statute or rule:
N/A
Plain language analysis:
The proposed rule change is a clarification of existing requirements in ch. PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code to provide that for educator preparation programs leading to a pupil services or administrative license, practicum experiences must, in part, occur in school settings. To support this clarification, the rule also establishes a definition for “school settings” that includes charter schools, private schools, public school districts, and tribal schools, ensuring clarity in the types of environments that fulfill this requirement. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulations:
Because educator preparation in the United States is typically governed by each state and local government, federal regulations are generally silent with respect to the preparation of student teachers. As a result, the requirements for teacher preparation programs vary by state.
Summary of any public comments and feedback on the statement of scope for the proposed rule that the agency received at a preliminary public hearing and comment period held and a description of how and to what extent the agency took those comments into account and drafting the proposed rule:
The Department held a preliminary public hearing and comment period on December 14, 2023, and did not receive any comments on the statement of scope for the proposed rule.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Under Ill. Admin. Code tit. 23 § 25.610, a practicum is defined as a type of clinical experience characterized by intensive work with students, in a group or one on one, which is carefully designed as part of an approved program; is supervised by a designated representative of the institution offering the program; and provides evidence that the candidate for the endorsement is able to apply the knowledge and skills relevant to that endorsement area. Iowa: Pre-student teaching field experience supports learning in context and includes high-quality instructional programs for PK-12 students in state-approved school or educational facilities with the opportunity to observe and be observed by others and to engage in discussion and reflection on clinical practice. The teacher candidate will be active in planning, instruction and assessment. Student teaching experience for initial licensure takes place in the classroom of an appropriately licensed supervising teacher. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-79.14(6)-(7)
Michigan: Michigan educator preparation institutions are expected to collaborate with PK-12 schools, districts, and public-school academies to co-construct clinical experiences to provide extended opportunities for teacher candidates to engage directly with students. Supervised directed teaching must engage a candidate in at least 300 hours of student contact in the grade range of the endorsement sought. Activities that candidates may complete for Student Contact Hours in the Apprenticeship include intentional observation of masterful teaching with accompanying reflection and debriefing of how the activities connect to the teacher preparation curriculum, co-planning and co-teaching with a masterful mentor teacher, co-assessing and analyzing resultant student work, participating in guided and supervised teaching of individual students as well as small groups and whole classrooms, and collaboration with education professionals. Mich. Admin. Rules R 390.1123
Minnesota: Under Minn. R. 8705.1010, each teaching candidate’s practicum experience must align to the scope and content of the license or endorsement sought; is a minimum of 80 hours with a continuous group of students; provides observations with actionable feedback to ensure growth and attainment of standards with a minimum of two observations by the cooperating teacher; provides observations with actionable feedback to ensure growth and attainment of standards with a minimum of two observations by the supervisor; includes a minimum of one triad meeting with the cooperating teacher, the supervisor, and the candidate for clear and consistent communication; and includes a written evaluation by the supervisor that addresses the candidate's ability to meet the standards in parts 8710.2000 to 8710.8080 and the candidate's professional dispositions.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
Chapter PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code contains the rules governing educator licenses, including the rules around educator preparation. Section PI 34.023 (3) requires that, for educator preparation programs leading to a pupil services or administrative license, the clinical program shall include supervised practicums: 1) are developmental in scope and sequence; 2) results in the student being able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the standards under subch. II of ch. PI 34; and 3) evaluates each student’s performance using at least two written evaluations by the school-based supervisor for student-based observations, at least two written evaluations by the program supervisors, and at least two conferences involving the school-based supervisors, the program supervisor, and the student. Since the rules were written, the department has identified a correction to the rule which clarifies that for educator preparation programs leading to a pupil services or administrative license, the practicum experience must also occur in school settings. The rule also establishes a definition for “school settings” that includes charter schools, private schools, public school districts, and tribal schools. The proposed rule change aims to increase clarity in all clinical program requirements for educator preparation programs by establishing consistent guidelines for practicum programming. Without a rule change, the department will be required to implement ch. PI 34 as the rule currently exists, which may create confusion for educator preparation programs leading to a pupil services or administrative license as well as for students enrolled in these programs. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact report:
Anticipated costs incurred by private sector:
Effect on small business:
The proposed rules will have no significant economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1) (a), Stats. Agency contact person: (including email and telephone)
