2011 Wisconsin Laws 115.97 – Bilingual-bicultural education programs required
115.97(5)(a)3.
3. Employment of at least one bilingual teacher’s aide in the program.
115.97
115.97 Bilingual-bicultural education programs required.
115.97(2)
(2) If, in a language group under § 115.96 (1), there are 10 or more limited-English proficient pupils in kindergarten to grade 3 in attendance at a particular elementary school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to such pupils’ placement under § 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program for such pupils during the school term. Such program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher.
115.97(3)
(3) If, in a language group under § 115.96 (1), there are 20 or more limited-English proficient pupils in grades 4 to 8 in attendance at a particular elementary, middle or junior high school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to such pupils’ placement under § 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program for such pupils during the school term. Such program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher.
115.97(5)
(5)
115.97(5)(a)1.
1. Compliance with all other requirements of this subchapter.
115.97(5)(a)2.
2. A good faith, continuing effort to recruit bilingual teachers for the language group.
115.97(1)
(1) A school board may combine pupils in attendance at separate schools in its bilingual-bicultural education program. The school board shall be eligible for state aids under § 115.995 if the number of limited-English proficient pupils served from the combined schools meets the requirements under sub. (2), (3) or (4). A pupil shall be eligible for a bilingual-bicultural education program only until he or she is able to perform ordinary classwork in English. The bilingual-bicultural education program shall be designed to provide intensive instruction to meet this objective. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to authorize isolation of children of limited-English proficient ability or ethnic background for a substantial portion of the school day. Pupils who are not limited-English proficient pupils may participate in a bilingual-bicultural education program, except that a school board shall give preference to limited-English proficient pupils in admitting pupils to such a program.
115.97(4)
(4) If, in a language group under § 115.96 (1), there are 20 or more limited-English proficient pupils in grades 9 to 12 in attendance at a particular high school and whose parents or legal custodians give written consent to the pupils’ placement under § 115.96 (3), the school board shall establish a bilingual-bicultural education program. The program shall be taught by a bilingual teacher. Bilingual counselors shall be made available.
115.97(5)(a)
(a) Except as provided under para. (b), if a school board is required to establish a bilingual-bicultural education program under sub. (2), (3) or (4), but bilingual teachers for the language groups are unavailable, the program may be taught by certified teachers of English as a 2nd language upon receipt of approval of the state superintendent. The state superintendent may approve a program under this paragraph only if the school board demonstrates all of the following:
115.97(5)(b)
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a program for Spanish-speaking pupils.