by David Martin | Apr 29, 2024 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
Earlier this month, the Republican-led legislature
filed a lawsuit against both DPI and Governor Evers for the use of his
partial veto on
2023 Wisconsin Act 100, the law that creates a funding structure for new early literacy initiatives created by
2023 Wisconsin Act 20. At issue is whether the bill (SB 971) was an appropriations bill, and therefore able to be partial vetoed, or if the bill simply authorizes the Joint Finance Committee to release funds as the legislature claims. This lawsuit has begun to raise major questions as to the impact on Act 20’s implementation timeline
(see our previous post for more information on the suit).
(more…)
by David Martin | Apr 24, 2024 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
DPI has released seclusion and restraint data from the 2022-23 school year. Overall, there was a decrease in incidents of both seclusion and restraint, while students with IEPs continue to make up the vast majority of incidents. (more…)
by David Martin | Apr 23, 2024 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
announced today that they will be extending the
Wisconsin Teacher Pledge program through the 2028-29 school year, thanks to a new $8 million in private funding. The program (launched in 2020) covers the cost of in-state tuition, testing, and licensing costs for students who attend a UW-Madison teacher preparatory program and pledge to teach in a Wisconsin school for at least 4 years (or three years in a high need district/high need specialty). Prior to the announcement, private funding would have only sustained the program through the 2026-27 school year.
From the UW-Madison School of Education: “As of spring 2024, 773 students have taken the Teacher Pledge. Of those, 354 are already teaching in 88 public school districts and 14 private schools across Wisconsin. This work is vital at a time when a nationwide teacher shortage continues to generate headlines and frustrate policymakers in search of solutions. A new report released in April by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction found Wisconsin educators continue to leave the state’s workforce “at an alarming rate” and that the retention of teachers is a “significant issue that needs to be addressed.”
by David Martin | Apr 23, 2024 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
The Office of School Safety has shared the following message and resources for school districts. Visit the
OSS website for more information on the office and the resources and services it provides to school districts.
It’s Easier Than You Think to Apply for a Digital Mapping Grant!
The Wisconsin Legislature has replenished 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 digital mapping grant funds, with an additional $2.5 million added to this opportunity. With additional funding, OSS continues to seek applications from Wisconsin public, private, charter, and tribal schools interested in obtaining digital mapping data. The grant announcement is available here: School Safety Grants.
Intimidated by grants? Never completed a grant application before? No problem! OSS is hosting a webinar series to help. We have one remaining webinar scheduled for the 2023-2024 school year: Monday June 10, 2 – 3:30 PM. Click here to register.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact OSS Grants Specialist, Jacob Dorff at schoolsafetygrants@doj.state.wi.us.
(more…)
by David Martin | Apr 18, 2024 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
Earlier this week, the Republican-led legislature filed a lawsuit against both DPI and Governor Evers for the use of his partial veto on 2023 Wisconsin Act 100, the law that creates a funding structure for new early literacy initiatives created by 2023 Wisconsin Act 20. The legislature has been very concerned with Governor Evers’ partial veto authority on appropriations bills (a bill that spends money). They have attempted to avoid this authority by appropriating funds to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) and then subsequently passing legislation to create a framework for how that money is to be used (Act 100). The governor partially vetoed Act 100 as if it was an appropriations bill when the legislature argues it is not. If a bill is not an appropriations bill, the governor can only sign it into law or veto it in its entirety. (more…)
