First round of education bills pass committee
See all the committee members, bills in committee and more.
A series of bills has passed out of Assembly committees, marking the start of a busy legislative session. Coming this week, along with the State Superintendent Primary Election on Tuesday, February 18, the Governor is set to announce his budget proposal for 2025-27. Join us for a budget briefing to unpack his proposal at 6:30 p.m. February 20.
Here’s a look at what has passed out of the Assembly:
Cell phone ban bill (WI AD2). Prohibits pupils from using wireless communication devices during instructional time. The bill mandates the ban for cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers and gaming devices. Exceptions include 1) for emergencies and perceived threats, 2) to manage a pupil’s health care, 3) for a use included in an individualized education program or 504 plan, and 4) for a use authorized by a teacher for educational purposes.
Changing Assessment Standards (AB1). This bill would change assessment standards, AKA cut scores, on school report cards to require them to align to the NAEP standards, rather than the state standards educators teach in school every day.
Cursive Writing (AB3). Requires cursive writing in elementary school as part of English Language Standards. 24 states currently incorporate cursive writing in state standards.
Civics Curriculum (AB4). Requires instruction in civics in elementary and high school as a graduation requirement, beyond current requirements which already call for students to pass the U.S. Citizenship test to graduate. Proponents said 36 other states require this additional, dedicated instruction in civics outside of what is already being taught.
Inspect School Materials (AB5). Requires districts to comply with requests to inspect a textbook, curriculum or instructional material within 14 days. Under the bill, each school board must post a list of adopted textbooks on the school board’s website. Despite the requirements for schools to follow open records law and that districts already share their materials, proponents say districts may not be as transparent as they should be. The DPI spoke against the bill, wondering if this might be an effort to sow distrust by inferring materials are not currently available. Ed groups registering against include those representing school boards and administrators.
70% Operation Expense Mandate (AB6). Requires districts use 70% of operation expenses for direct classroom expenditures and administrative pay or face reduction of state funding. The author of the bill said he’s bringing the bill forward to re-designate resources as a step to “solve problems” in public schools. He said the average in WI is 73%, but said “some” are not. He clarified that teacher pay is part of the direct expenditures. The author also couldn’t say if that would tie the hands of local school boards to set pay in their districts. The DPI is opposed to this, noting vague definitions and that the state already limits what districts can spend through revenue limes and that the move usurps authority of locally elected school boards.
Circulating for Co-Sponsorship:
Blocking large referendums in some districts to be counted toward state aid (LRB-0299). This bill would block large referendum expenditures in positive tertiary aid districts from counting towards a school’s equalization aid. According to the Republican author’s, “This bill does not apply to all referendums. Instead, this bill targets referendums that would significantly draw from the pot of money that is to be shared by all school districts” and specifically mentioned Milwaukee Public Schools’ recent referendum.
Limiting school operating referenda (LRB-0526 & 1934). Eliminates recurring operating referenda and limits a nonrecurring operating referendum to no more than four years.
Detaining anyone alleged to be not lawfully present in the U.S. (LRB-1618 & 1688). Prohibits any official from engaging in the detention of an individual if the individual is being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States. The bill applies only to a detention that occurs in a public building or facility, school, place of worship, place where child care services are provided, or place where medical or other health care services are provided. The bill prohibits expending any moneys to aid in the detention of an individual if the individual is being detained on the sole basis that the individual is or is alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States.
Requiring national motto in public schools and public buildings (LRB 1631 & 1025). Requires public buildings to display the national motto, “In God We Trust.”. Beginning in 2026-27 school year, the bill also requires that the national motto, “In God We Trust,” be displayed in each public school classroom, including charter school classrooms. Under current law, each school board and governing body of a private school must display the U.S. flag in the schoolroom or from a flagstaff on the school grounds during the school hours of each school day.
Tuition and fee remission for veterans and dependents in UW and technical college (LRB 1653). This bill modifies the residency requirement for the tuition and fee remission program for certain veterans and their spouses and children enrolled in University of Wisconsin System schools and technical colleges by eliminating the five-year durational residency requirement for veterans and their spouses and children.
See all the bills we’re watching at www.weac.org/bills
Elections: State Superintendent
Primary Election is February 18. WEAC is not recommending in the February 18 primary for state superintendent. We’re sharing this comparison graphic and encouraging members to visit the candidates’ website and read interviews available in the media.
11.101 communication with WEAC members.
